Chronicle of a Life Well Lived

Esther "Abbey" Viles was born on Monday, September 20, 1948, to Mary Alice Bridges and Herman Carnes, Sr. in Columbus, GA. Because her mother died five weeks after her birth, she was raised in a home filled with love by her grandmother, Dessie Mae "Tet" Brooks and her great grandmother, Lottie (Carson) Weaver Bragg. Not to confuse you, but if you know southern tradition, women always kept their maiden names. Legally, Lottie was born a Carson, while her mother was a Weaver. After her father abandoned the family, everyone converted back to using the Weaver name.

After a long battle from injuries she sustained during Operation Desert Storm (1990-1991), she passed away suddenly on Monday, January 6, 2025, at Jacksonville Memorial Hospital, leaving behind many broken hearts.

At a young age, Esther was baptized Catholic, but she never really talked about religion that much.

She attended Radcliff Elementary School (kindergarten to sixth grade) and Carver High School (seventh to twelfth grade) graduating in 1966 in Columbus, GA. During these years, her paper doll, ride or die friend, Bettie Joe Baker stated that Esther would take the short cut walk through Radcliff Cemetery, which was adjacent to the school to get home faster. If she stepped on any of the graves she would have to turn around in a circle and kiss the headstone out of respect for the deceased.

Although Esther never obtained a college degree, she took several courses that interested her at Fayette State University in NC, Harrisburg Community College in Harrisburg, PA, and Illinois College in Jacksonville, IL, in addition to courses at various military schools and career-related institutes.

In life there are several families that individuals will encounter; the birth family, the ones that become close friends, families we marry into, and their pet family. Esther never met a stranger. Everyone she encountered became a part of her extended family. With her infectious smile, no one could help but be drawn to her.

Esther was the family "Diva, Fashionista, and Social Butterfly", and she truly loved her family and extended family members. She remembered every birthday, anniversary, and holiday celebration. If she was not posting something on Facebook everyday, you knew something was wrong with her.

Esther's employment history started as a seasonal worker for K-Mart. She later obtained a job in the cable industry, holding various positions that spanned 46 years before her retirement in October 2023, during which time she worked for Sammons Communications (1977-1995), Marcus Cable (1995-1998), Triax Cablevision (1998-1999), and Mediacom Communications Corporation (1999-2023).

She was a fearless warrior. At the ripe age of 33, she joined the United States Army Reserve (1982-1997). While in basic training her fellow trainees called her "grandmother" because she was the oldest one in the group. While in the service she served as a Chaplains Assistant, Administration Assistant, and in the Finance Division. Not wanting to be left behind while her fellow comrades were serving during wartime, she elected to join them by serving a tour of duty during Operation Desert Storm while stationed in Riyadh, Saudi Arbia performing the Kuwaiti Freedom Mission. She ended her military career as a Seargeant with an honorable discharge.

Her membership interest included the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault, board of directors of Rape Information and Counseling Service, Women in Cable, Illinois Cable Television Association, Women in Cable Telecommunications, and the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. If this was not enough, she also was involved with the Cable in the Classroom Project, Toys for Tots fundraising, Committee of Rape Information and Counseling Service, and she was a huge advocate for dogs by supporting the Jacksonville animal shelter named P.A.W.S., serving as a rescue foster dog mom for Nemo, Kelloggs Crackle (K.C.) and Mika. Nicholas was her first puppy in Jacksonville. All the puppies preceded her in death. Her favorite baseball cap to wear was entitled "Crazy Dog Lady."

She enjoyed public speaking, traveling, and cooking. Boy, could she cook; hosting parties celebrating everything for human beings from all cultures to doggy parties. In her early years however, she burnt a lot of pots filled with boiling water as a young girl. She later mastered her skills when a Colonel's wife took her under her wing and taught Esther how to cook. From that point on Esther mastered her skill preparing everyone's favorite recipes when they visited her.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Mary Alice and Herman Sr.; grandparents, Dessie Mae "Tet" (Alto) Brooks, Jr. and Solomon Bridges; great-grandparents Lottie (Wesley) Bragg and Chris Prince Voise; son, Leslie Bernard "Moochie" Hardy, III; siblings, Herman Carnes, Jr. and Mattie (Jerome) Mahone; great aunt, Willie "Shorty" Voise; uncle, Ernest "Johnny Boy" Brown, Jr.; cousins, Louis and Gladys (Carson) Weaver, Martha (Floyd) James, II, Georgia Ann (Alfred) Hudson, Lawrence Bernard and Lloyd "Porkey" James, III, Albert Sr. and Eugene "Frog" Weaver, Wyolene Douglas, Ruth and Shelly Reid, Baby Louis Weaver, Betty (Eugene) Davis, Robert Davis, Jr., Eric Davis, Felicia Hudson; and in-laws, Arthur "Mack" (Cordelia) Viles, Sr.; and her childhood friend, Earnestine Doleman Benjamin.

Those who are left to carry on her legacy include her husband, Arthur "Mike" Viles of 32 years; son, Mark Hardy; daughter, Jessica (Shannon) White; grandchildren, Merissa (Diego) Huerta, Alexandra (Jonathan) Adams, Cierra, Maya, Allyssia Hardy, and Dallas Lashmet, Adacia (Jaden) Reed; great-grandchildren, Daemon and Aria Adams; aunt, Dorothy "Dot" Brown; siblings, Cynthia (James) Jones and James (Lavoxkeia) Carnes; niece, Stacey Martinez; special cousins Robert "Bobby" (Evelyn C.) Davis, Sr., Willene Daruwalla, Gena, Ronald (Sharon), Albert Jr. (Debra), Donald Sr. (Heidi), Melvin Sr. Weaver, Kimberly "Kim" Davis, Catrina "Trina" Dowell, and Serena "Kitten" Green; her pet puppy family members, Chana, Fudge, Nugget, and Juquan the cat.

In addition to a long list of in-laws John (Debby) Viles, Hardy and Alexander family members; and the mothers to her grandchildren, Rachel Dixon, Angela Reed, Nicole Lenhart, and Betsy Lashmet. Special friends, Bettie Joe Baker, Blanche Scarbrough, Ethel Burton, Eva Ravanell, Delores "Peggy" Howlett, Kris Boes and Jim Brewer, Reiko Itoh, Sherry (Dale) Baines, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, extended family members, former co-workers, and lifelong friends.

A funeral service will be held 12 PM Friday, January 24, 2025, at the Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville, with the family meeting friends 10 AM until the time of service. Esther will be buried at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield at 2 PM with full Military Honors. Memorial donations are suggested to PAWS of Jacksonville or the Animal Protective League (APL) in Springfield. The Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be left online at buchanancody.com. The family is hosting a zoom meeting at the link below. Please join us virtually if you cannot make the service.

Topic: Esther "Abbey" Viles Service

Time: Jan 24, 2025

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84279507711?pwd=BHmLgOCMdk5ufhb8VNS1w4MW1JpJ8x.1

Meeting ID: 842 7950 7711

Passcode: 481483

Meaning of the name Esther

The name Esther means "Heaven's Little Girl". You were raised to be loyal and real, to have courage and faith, but stubbornly independent, with the heart of an angel. Those with this name hide their pain behind a beautiful smile and never stop fighting for their loved ones' happiness. You are a hard worker who would give your best in all situations. You are obedient, docile, and patriotic, yet you are friendly, approachable, and generous. You can be a spontaneous, expressive, and talkative person. Generally, you are good-natured, though at times you can be rather blunt and sarcastic.

You are the kind of person who gives without expecting anything in return, even when you have nothing left to give. Life has not always been kind to you, but you've turned your pain into power and your sorrow into strength. You shall always be remembered for the love you gave to others.