Estelle Plessy Clayton passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Sunday, June 6, 2021, at her home in Tulsa, at the age of 95.
She was born on January 30, 1926, in New Orleans, Louisiana to Gustave and Sedonia (White) Plessy. Estelle lived in New Orleans most of her life, but left for Dallas, Texas, when led by the Lord, before moving to Tulsa with her Daughter Linda and grandsons, Leslie and Emery. She was saved and born again at the age of 50 and her theme in life was always, 'Jesus paid it all.'
Estelle's focal point of her life was her relationship with her Lord and Savior. She could often be found reading her Bible, and if not there, caring for and giving to others, encouraging them with the Word of God, and sharing the wisdom found there. She was devoted to her family and raised her five children making sure they were well taken care of and nurtured. Estelle possessed strength of character and did everything in her power to keep her family together, and guide them in the right direction. She was self sacrificing and gave her all in raising her children. She truly embodied Proverbs' 31 Godly Woman; "Her children will arise and call her blessed."
Estelle is preceded in death by son, Kenneth; brothers, Edward and Paul.
She is survived by her children Linda, Dwight, David, and Patrice and her husband Ray; Grandchildren, Leslie, Emery, Raymond Jr., Reuben, David Jr., and Tyra; Great-Grandchildren, Cameryn, Daniel, Averie, and Ethan; and other family and close friends.
Even in the last eight years of dementia, her life reflected an inner peace with her God, and she never lost sight of the true testimony of His grace.
A Mothers Day Remembrance of Mama-May 12, 2024
Estelle Plessy Clayton
January 30, 1926- June 6, 2021
By her daughter, Linda Fusilier
I’ve been thinking about my mother the last few days and how she went before us, blazing the trail…a pilgrim on the journey of the narrow road…always encouraging the faithful and cheering us along….her life an inspiring testament of God’s sustaining grace…Mama was faithful.
I thank the Lord for her untiring prayers and unconditional love for me while yet unconverted…. prayers I know now that drew me to faith in Christ and being born again on February 5, 1978.
I thank the Lord for the many years since then that my mother encouraged me and others she knew or met with God’s Word, the Bible, always urging us to read and study it ourselves. She always pointed people to Christ and shared her God-given discernment and wisdom with me and I know many others. Her love for the Bible stands uppermost in my mind…indelibly imprinted there and what has impacted my life the most… my mother didn’t just have a knowledge of the Bible…she had a living relationship with the Lord demonstrating the Word of God in her walk in Christ. Through the Word of God she came to know and walk in intimate fellowship with its Author in the everydayness of life which lasted until the Lord brought her home on June 6, 2021. Mama left a heritage of faithfulness passed on through a godly life.
I thank the Lord for the life of my precious mother….She was faithful and lived out what she believed. Her life shined for all to see….even till the end….always spurring us on to run the race set before us. What a legacy in Christ she left behind.
May all who come behind us find us faithful….whose lives and legacy in Christ inspire and light the way for those that come behind us to believe and live a life for God and our Lord Jesus Christ, to obey and follow his Word and the path we all must walk. “But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.” Prov 4:18
Even as I continue to move forward in my journey I’m still finding things my mother left (like notes, memoirs, things she wrote or jotted down that are tucked away or written in her Bible, and also things she said that I’ve journaled. They are precious little treasures that inspired me then and still do now. I often think about how Mama always pointed people to Christ…. she glowed with the beauty of knowing Jesus Christ expressing it through a sincere love for others…the love of God which never fails.
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthian 13:13
In remembrance of my beloved mother, Estelle Plessy Clayton
Forever loved and remembered,
Linda Fusilier.
5/12/24
Mother’s Day 2024