Ann Eleanor Esmay
September 8th, 2022 is a day that will be remembered forever. England lost their queen and our family lost ours. Ann Eleanor Esmay, the worlds greatest mother, stepmother, wife, grandmother, and great grandmother finished her war with cancer. This wasnt her first dance with the deadly disease. She defeated it soundly once before in 1984 and never let it slow her down.
Grandma had a life that most would only dream of having. She was born in 1938 in San Diego to her father John Rhodes and her mother Lydia Florence. She was the youngest of six but established quickly that she was no baby. She graduated high school in Ukiah, California as a member of the Ukiah Bethel of Jobs Daughters where she served as Honor Queen in 1957. In 1958, she married Larry Salisbury and soon started a family, welcoming twin boys, Wes and Les just 10 days before her 21st birthday in 1959. A few short years later, she welcomed another son, Gregg in 1962. Her work as a Psychiatric Technician prompted her move from Ukiah to Porterville in 1971.
After separating from Larry shortly after the move to Porterville, Grandma became an amazing single mother of 3 boys who would give any mom a run for her money. She worked as a waitress in addition to her job at the state hospital, which is what led to her meeting the first true love of her life. One night in 1974, one of her regular customers built up the courage to ask her out. He said, I bet you wont go out with me. This was a bet the customer lost. Grandma married her first true love, Les Hulett shortly thereafter.
In true Brady bunch fashion, Grandma and Grandpa formed the most magnificent, blended family. Grandpa had 6 children of his own, Carol, Leslie, Peggy, Patricia, David, and Deanne. The way the family bonded was truly amazing. Grandma and Grandpa spent 28 wonderful years together. They were active members of the bowling community and regular members of the First Southern Baptist Church of Porterville until Grandpas death in 2002. Despite Grandpas passing, the family remained strong.
Tragedy would strike the family again in the subsequent years, with the passing of three children. Despite the loss and heartache, the family stayed strong, and Grandma persevered. In 2006, while volunteering at Gleaners in Porterville, Grandma met Jim Esmay, a truly wonderful man. Just like that, she was blessed with a second true love. They married in 2007 and enjoyed an amazing 15 years together until October of 2021. Truly by the grace of God, the family became blended once again, as we welcomed Jims children Debbie and Tim, and grandchildren into our lovely group. As the family grew, so did the love, and Grandma was the lynch pin to it all.
With countless grand and great-grandchildren, Grandma never missed a birthday, always sending a card. She also hosted the big Christmas gathering each year at her home in Porterville the weekend before Christmas. These gathering will forever live in our families hearts as it was always a way for all of us to come together from all over the state. They were truly incredible; first with Grandpa, and later with Jim. Grandma somehow always managed to cook and clean for everyone and made the most incredible Christmas candy, especially her famous Almond Bark.
She was always a supporting friend to those around her, like those in her TOPS and later KOPS group. She stayed a member of KOPS for over 20 years, a feat that she was truly proud of.
She was a woman of unwavering faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was unashamed to profess her faith. Things with Grandma were never complicated. Once you were family, that was it. There were no grey areas, no stepchildren etc. Right was right and wrong was wrong. I learned from Grandma at a young age to be accountable and to do the right thing. Grandma truly lived a life one would hope to emulate.
During my last conversation with Grandma, I asked her if she was afraid of what was going to happen next. Her reply will stay with me forever. Honey, why would I be scared? I know where Im going, and I know who is there waiting for me. Ive been through a lot of loss and my life, and I never couldve gotten though it if I didnt know in my heart what was next. This is the kind of peace that one could only dream of having.
Grandma is ultimately survived by her children, Carol, Leslie, Pat, David, and Wes, and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by husbands, Les Hulett and Jim Esmay and children Peggy Hulett, Deanne Boucher, Les Salisbury and Gregg Salisbury.
A Graveside service will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Porterville on Monday, October 10, 2022 at 11:00 AM, followed by A Celebration of Life at First Southern Baptist Church in Porterville at 12:00 PM. To light a virtual candle, share a memory, or express condolences to the family, please visit the tribute section of our website at www.myersfuneral.com/ obituaries. Myers Funeral Service & Crematory in Porterville is in charge of arrangements.