Esther Kirkham

Esther Margaret (Abbott) Kirkham, 97, passed away on March 9, 2023. She was born on February 25, 1926 in Grandfield, Oklahoma to Seth and Nora Abbott. After graduating from Texas Women’s Teachers College, she married Dr. Neil H. Kirkham and began teaching school. In 1953, she moved to Aransas Pass where they lived for many years before moving to Rockport. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Rockport and a long-time member of First Baptist Church of Aransas Pass. She was an avid golfer, a member of the Aransas Pass Garden Club, and loved spending time in the sun at the beach. Esther was a fixture at the Rockport Country Club and always ready to take a trip. She was an amazing mom and grandmother to her 3 kids and 8 grandchildren. In recent years, she has lived in Corpus Christi and the family is so grateful for the love Erika Alba has shown Esther for the last twelve years. It was her care that made Esther’s last years so special.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Neil H. Kirkham, father, Seth Abbott, mother, Nora Abbott, 2 brothers, and 3 sisters, and daughter-in-law, Sandra Kirkham.

She is survived by her son, Wesley A. “Bubba” Kirkham of Seguin, Texas; two daughters, Deborah “Beba” Brubeck and husband, Cdr. Greg USN (Ret) of Corpus Christi, Texas, Jackie Lyn Camele and husband, Col. Aaron-Paul, USMC (Ret) of Southlake, Texas; 8 grandchildren, Lt. Col Neil Brubeck, USMC (Ret) and wife, Holly of Beaufort, South Carolina, Kandice Weaver and husband, Michael of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, Carrie Stefanick and husband, Jason of Cypress, Texas, Deborah Schramm and husband Brian of Tomball, Texas, Jennifer Flaherty and husband, Patrick of Spring, Texas, Michael Wesley Camele of Los Angeles, California, Mary Frances Camele of Southlake, Texas, Margaret Porter Camele of Southlake, Texas; 14 great-grandchildren, Elijah, Ezekiel, and Naomi Weaver, Saylor, Jack, and Hope Stefanick, Cameron, William, and Beau Schramm, Sawyer, Parker, and Hunter Flaherty, Grace, and Matthew Brubeck.

Her celebration of life will be on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at Charlie Marshall Funeral Home 2003 West Wheeler Avenue, Aransas Pass, Texas. Visitation will start at 10:00 AM. The service will begin at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at the Prairie View Cemetery in Aransas Pass, Texas.