Mary Esterleane Chastine

Introduction: Mary Esterleane “Gant” Chastine, “Esterleane” and “Tit-Tie” as she is best known, departed this earthly world to go to her heavenly home on Sunday July 30, 2023, on the day that she most loved, going to the Lord’s House to celebrate and praise her Heavenly Father. She was blessed to see 104 years and 7-months of life. She was born on Monday, December 9, 1918, to the late Almeda and Thomas Gant. To their parent’s nuptials were born the two children, Esterleane and Major William Thomas (Mary) Gant. The nickname. The name “Tit-tie” was based upon her little brother’s attempt to say “sister” when he was a child. Upon her father’s death, resulting from a coal mining incident, Esterleane’s mother, Almeda, married John Tandy. This union produced three additional siblings: John Quincy Adam Tandy, Merean Beatrice Tandy, and James Douglas Tandy. She is the oldest of the five children. In addition to her parents, Esterleane is preceded in death by her siblings; son: Robert Thomas Chastine; and grandson: Keith LyDell Cottoner; as well as aunts and uncle.
Nuptials: Esterleane wedded Herman “Skates” Chastine. To their union, two children were born: Jonell “Chastine” (Robert) Cottoner, and Robert Thomas (Linda) Chastine, Sr. (deceased). Herman and Esterleane were married until his death at the age of 55.
Profession: During her life, she performed various occupational functions. She was a housewife raising her children and niece, Joslyn Fairrow from the age of 11 years old until adulthood. She was a caregiver to her mother and mother-in-law, simultaneously, until their death. She was also a caregiver to other family members. She worked in the kitchen at J.W. Million until her husband’s illness due to stroke. After his death, she assisted as a teacher’s aide for those seeking their GED. The program concluded due to a lack of funding, and she returned to work in the kitchen at Earlington High School remaining there until her retirement.
Her Love for the Great Outdoors: Esterleane loved the outdoors. You would often find her planting flowers throughout her front and backyard. She was particularly fond of roses. Regardless of the season, you would find her in the yard planting seasonal flowers. She even planted tomatoes, cucumbers, and greens.
Church: Esterleane professed a relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ, at a very early age becoming a member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. She was under the pastoral tutelage of numerous pastors throughout the span of her life. She was under the former Pastor Alfred E Reid until her health declined. She then went to church with her daughter at Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church where Rev. Robert L Cottoner is Pastor. Rev. Terrence Minor became the pastor of Mt. Zion. Thus, she had the dual pastorship of Pastor Terrence Minor and Pastor Robert L Cottoner. During her Christian journey, she worked diligently for the Lord. She served in the choir, Missionary Society, as Sunday School Superintendent, just to name a few. When asked what her favorite scripture was, she just said the “WORD; reading God’s WORD!!!” In addition to her church work, Esterleane was a member of other organizations such as: the Eastern Star, President of the PTA for several years, and she worked tirelessly in the community in various outlets and organizations.
Family: Esterleane’s love was about family, friends, and people. She demonstrated the love of God in her actions and words. She treated everyone she met with the same kindness, gentle heart, display of love, shared wisdom, knowledge, and encouragement. Sometimes her front porch was the meeting room for all who met her. People would just see her on the front porch and come and “sit a spell”.

Esterleane is blessed with an abundance of family and extended family that loves her unconditionally. Her memory is treasured by: Daughter: Jonell (Robert) Cottoner; Niece / Daughter: Joslyn Fairrow; Daughter-in-Law: Linda (Robert deceased) Chastine; Grandchildren: Carla Cottoner; Herman (Cassie) Cottoner, Robert Chastine, Carlton (Michelle) Cottoner, Melissa Davis, Dwayne (Nadlyn) Cottoner, Jason (CaTina) Cottoner; Great Grandchildren: Juatarian Cottoner, Keith (Brittany) Cottoner; Joshua (Shavonne) Jones; Tiffany (Andrew) Biddle, Arayah (DeQane) Campbell, LaNina Cottoner, KaLynn Cottoner, JaNelle Cottoner, and Trinity Cottoner; Great-Great Grandchildren: Jeremiah, Ayanna, Naimah, and Sage (Joshua and Shavonne) Jones, Kyla and Stella (Keith and Brittany) Cottoner; Journey and Jordan (Arayah and DeQane) Campbell, Berkley and Robin (Tiffany and Andrew) Biddle. A host of nieces and nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews. Special and extended family members: The entire Cottoner Family, Vola Mackey and family, Teresa Quarles, Oak Grove Church Family, Mt. Zion Church Family, Hospice Team, Dr. James Farmer and staff, Perry Cheek, Felicia Smyrna, Alika Wickliffe and family.