Mrs. Esther Genell Knapp-Vanderson

KNAPP-VANDERSON, Mrs. Esther Genell - Age 64, passed away Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at Hurley Medical Center. Family hour 10:00 AM Thursday, September 29, 2016 at Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, 4805 N. Saginaw Street, with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM Rev. Dr. Henry L. Fuller, Jr. Host Pastor, Pastor Steve Bramwell officiating, Pastor Charles Osborn eulogist. Interment Gracelawn Community Cemetery, G-5710 N. Saginaw Street. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:00 AM Thursday. Mrs. Vanderson will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM Wednesday. A time to be born … Esther Genell Knapp Vanderson was born December 27, 1951 in Jackson, Mississippi, the daughter of Percy Sr. and Nellie (Knapp) Willis. Esther grew up in Jackson, MS attending elementary school, Powell’s Junior High, and graduated from Brinkley High School in 1970. While growing up, she attended Vernon Grove Baptist Church. During her course of Junior High and High School, she discovered her gift of sewing and began sewing her wardrobe. Esther joined the “Voices of Faith Choir” and traveled all over the United States, she also designed and sewed many of the choir’s uniforms. After graduating from high school in 1970, she started college at Jackson State University and graduated in 1973 with a Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education. She also joined the Burns Seventh Day Adventist Church in Jackson, MS. While attending college in July, 1970, Esther came to Flint, Michigan to visit her mom and siblings and was introduced to Edward S. Vanderson, who would become her soul mate. How the soul mates got together is a story in itself. The courtship began from Flint to Jackson and the love letters flowed. After graduating from Jackson State University, Esther moved to Flint and on August 27, 1972, she was married to Edward S. Vanderson. Esther started substitute teaching for the Board of Education in 1973 and she became tenured with the Board of Education in 1986. She continued to fellowship in the Adventist Faith until she joined Fairhaven Seventh Day Adventist in Flint. Esther was a part of the “Fairhaven 5:00 a.m. Prayer Group” and a member of the Federated Kings Daughters. She continued her education at Eastern Michigan University graduating with a Master’s Degree and Highest Honors in 1991. In June 1975, Edward and Esther welcomed their daughter, and in 1980 they had a son. Esther loved family and friends. Over the years she hosted many family and friends gathering at her home. In hosting, it had to be perfected in Esther’s way. She created her own sewing patterns and sewed many masterpiece including wedding gowns that were never duplicated. In 1983 she sewed her sister’s wedding gown. The fabric store tried to buy the wedding gown back for display. Esther would not sell. She also prepared food for serving at church until her health failed. In spite of her disability, she was able to mime with the “Hands of Praise.” Producing a legacy, Esther Genell Knapp Vanderson, leaves to cherish her memory: loving and devoted husband of 44 years, Deacon Edward S. Vanderson; daughter, Maketa Vanderson; son, Edward L. (Ranisha) Vanderson; 4 grandchildren, Marshala, Tyquesha, Christopher and Myleena Vanderson; 2 great-grandchildren, Skyler and Ezra Vanderson; mother, Nellie Willis; 5 brothers, Percy Jr. (Betty) Knapp, James (Susie) Knapp, Lee (Ethel) Knapp and Rondy Knapp, all of Flint, Pastor T. Alexander (Daphany) Knapp of Minden, LA; sister, Marcie Knapp Moore of Flint; step-brother, Damont (Arlean) Banks of Birmingham, AL; 3 sisters-in-law, Starlett Kelly, Robin Johnson, both of Flint, Glenda Graves of St. Paul, MN; 2 brothers-in-law, Pastor Norse Johnson of Nashville, TN and Carl Johnson of Fayette, MS; 2 aunts, Maggie Smith, and Eva (Rufus) Warren, both of Jackson, MS; great-aunt, Lula Bell Thompson of Flint; 4 uncles, Joe (Minnie) Bolden of Byrum, MS; Earnest Ratliff of Houston, TX, Earnest Kelly, Sr. and Edward R. (Cora) Vanderson, all of Flint, a host of cousins including, Pamela Ligon of Milwaukee, WI, Cossie Martin of Jackson, MS and Maggie Bolden of Raymond, MS; god-children, Olivia Williams and Robin Williams, both of Georgia; a host of other relatives and friends. Esther was preceded in death by her father and stepmother, Percy (Jackie) Knapp; grandmother, Mary Knapp; father and mother-in-law; and 1 brother in-law.

Mrs. Esther Genell Knapp-Vanderson

December 27, 1951 - September 21, 2016