Ester Ann (Burgess) Brown, aka Gaga/Grandma, passed from this life on January 14, 2024 in Tulsa Oklahoma at 86 years old.
Being born on October 18, 1937, Ester was the first born child to Otis O. and Bernice Opal (Lusk) Kuykendall in the Ryal Community-McIntosh County.
Ester grew up in the Ryal/Graham area where she attended Ryal school until the 8th grade then later graduated from Graham high school. She was Baptized at Salem Baptist Church in 1950 by Rev Kit Carson. She married Monroe Burgess Sr. January 4, 1957 at Little Cussetah United Methodist Church and their union lasted until he passed away in January of 1990. She had many jobs in her lifetime. Her first job was at South Western Bell, followed by her job as an Environmental Aide at Okmulgee Memorial Hospital where she worked for many years before going to Wilson Head Start where she was known as "White Ester". Before retiring she worked a couple of years as a newspaper carrier. On June 15, 1996 she married Albert Brown Sr in Salem community and their union lasted until he passed away in 2006.
Ester was a lifetime resident of Wilson Community where she was respectfully known as Wilson Tigers Biggest Basketball Fan. She never met a stranger and anyone who ever attended a Wilson Tigers Basketball game can attest to that. She enjoyed many years of family get togethers being held at her home in Wilson where all of her grandkids and great grandkids ran around, played horseshoes, hide and seek, and wiffle ball where she even participated in a game at the age of 83. She did many things just to see her grandkids smile. She loved her ludens cough drops, nutter butters, and nutty butty ice cream bars. She enjoyed working her puzzles and word searches, playing with Mia the cat, and watching her shows like Law & Order, Chicago PD, Chicago Fire, Bluebloods, NCIS, and went to bed every night watching Friends.
Prior to her passing she enjoyed one last Wilson Tigers Basketball game watching her great grandkids play.
Ester is preceded in death by her parents, her husband's Monroe Burgess Sr and Albert Brown Sr, her daughter Georgia Ann (Burgess) Harjo, her brothers Kermit Kuykendall, James Kuykendall, sisters Oleta Millender, Pearl Jane Kuykendall, and son in laws Geronimo Tecumseh and Wilson King Jr.
She is survived by her children Jan Burgess of Morris Oklahoma, Tina Burgess of Okmulgee Oklahoma, Monroe Burgess Jr (Tammy) of Okmulgee Oklahoma, Karen King of Okmulgee Oklahoma, Melissa Bear (Daniel) of Henryetta Oklahoma, Mulsie Tecumseh of Okmulgee Oklahoma, and Son in law Nelson Harjo Sr. She is also survived by 18 grandchildren, 44 great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons and great grandsons.
Speakers: Rev Judy Deere, Nelson Harjo Sr., & Wilson High School Superintendent Aundrea James.
Viewing will be from 4pm-8pm on Tuesday January 16, 2024 at Integrity Funeral Home in Henryetta Oklahoma.
Services will be at 2pm on Wednesday January 17, 2024 at Integrity Funeral Home Chapel.