Martha “Esther” West Atchley, age 84, of the Lacey’s Spring community of Morgan County, Alabama went to be with her Lord and Savior on the afternoon of September 21, 2024. Esther was born September 9, 1940 in Morgan County, to William Owen West and Edna Olene Lang West. She graduated from Cotaco High School in 1957 and within just a few days she married the love of her life, G.W. Junior Atchley, in Iuka, Mississippi. G.W. and Esther celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary on June 1st. Bro. G.W. and Sister Esther served as the leaders of Pine Grove Holiness Church.
Esther was voted Neatest Girl in her High School class and enjoyed making her house into a warm and loving home for her family and friends. She was an excellent home maker and enjoyed decorating and cooking. Esther was famous in the family for her beloved chocolate pies and her banana pudding. Over the years she enjoyed making crafts, home decorating, sewing and even painting. The beach was one of her favorite places to go and she spent many great trips with her family and friends. Some of her favorite trips besides the beach were going to the Smoky Mountains and she loved a trip she took to California and to Washington D.C. Wherever she and her sisters were you could always count on a laugh. Esther was an excellent singer and enjoyed singing at her church. Most of the church members referred to her as the mother of the church. She also loved to travel with her family and friends.
Esther is survived by her husband G.W. Atchley; sons, Rickey Jerome Atchley (Teresa), Marty Dale Atchley, and Barry Kevin Atchley. She is also survived by one sister, Eva Jane White (Eli); one granddaughter, Holly Miranda Atchley Giroux (Jeff); and two great granddaughters, Sophie Michelle Giroux and Ashlyn Jean Giroux and her granddog, Lucky. Esther is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews.
Esther was preceded in death by her father, William Owen West; mother, Edna Olene West; brother, Charles Owen West (Toby); sisters, Edith Marie Ledbetter and Linda Gail Jones.
Services for Esther include a visitation at Brindlee Mountain Chapel Morgan City on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The funeral service will be on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. Friends and family members escorting Esther’s earthly body to its final resting place in Pine Grove Holiness church Cemetery are: Steve Compton, Stetson Compton, Brayden Pullins, Danny West, Isaac Morrow, and Gary Thompson. Honorary pallbearers will be Jeff Giroux and Chris West.
Arrangements entrusted to Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel
