Emma Clarine Esch

Emma Clarine Barker Esch, 89, of North Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away on Thursday, November 1, 2012, at Hospice Home Care Inpatient Facility on Bowman Rd. in Little Rock. She was born on February 24, 1923, in McKenzie, TN, to David Monroe and Clara Belle Barker. She was preceded in death on August 16, 2012, by her beloved husband of 71 years, Beuron Richard Esch. She was also preceded by her parents; her grandmother, Ella Chandler Barker, who raised her and her three siblings following the early death of their mother; her brother James Barker, who was killed in WWII; her sisters Evelyn Miller and Grace Brown Pryor. She is survived by her three children; Bill Esch (Sarah) of Overland Park, Kansas, Barbara Mills (Dennis) of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Brian Esch (Paige) of Franklin, Tennessee. She adored her six grandchildren; Richard and Brad Esch, Hunter and Emily Clair Mills, and Carmen and Andrew Esch; and her two great-grandchildren, Caroline and Dylan Esch. After WWII ended, Clarine and Beuron moved to North Little Rock where they raised their family, and she worked for several Little Rock department stores, including the Cotton Exchange, Red Crown Laundry Services, and the North Little Rock School District. She was a very active, faithful member of Somers Avenue Church of Christ in NLR, where she served many years as a Sunday School teacher, nursery helper, and enjoyed her weekly Ladies Bible Class. She was especially known for her sweet nature and her gracious hospitality in serving her delicious desserts and casseroles, which were always enjoyed at family dinners and church potlucks. Over the years, she also provided many homemade birthday cakes for area nursing homes. Each year for four decades, she enjoyed volunteering at the Arkansas State Fair with her husband at their church's booth to provide registrations for Bible correspondence courses. She was always active in her children's schools and P.T.A. and was a Cub Scout den mother. Clarine especially enjoyed Murry's Dinner Playhouse and family camping trips, but her greatest joys in life were serving her family and her church. The family requests that memorials may be made to Somers Avenue Church of Christ, 4801 Somers Avenue, North Little Rock, Ark. 72116, or Southern Christian Children's Home, 100 Harding St., Morrilton, 72110. Funeral service will be 3 p.m. Monday, November 5, 2012 at Roller-Owens Funeral Home Chapel, 5509 John F. Kennedy Blvd. North Little Rock, Ark. 72116 (501-791-7400). Interment will follow at Rest Hills Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, November 4, 2012 at the funeral home. Online guestbook www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/owens.