Esther Martin

Martin, Esther Ruth Coppage

Having trusted in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior many years ago, Esther peacefully entered His presence on September 6, 2017, while a patient at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. A resident of Baton Rouge since 1965, Esther was a loving mother, mother-in-law, and friend. Esther was born in rural, poverty-stricken Cairo, Georgia, in 1924, the fifth of five children. Though her father passed away when she was an infant, her family remained intact. She and her siblings graduated high school and college, and like her two older sisters, she graduated nursing school first in her class, becoming a registered nurse. Upon graduation and with the end of World War II, Esther traveled to Cook County Hospital in Chicago for post-graduate studies in surgical and critical care nursing. Shortly after graduating, she relocated to New Orleans where she became the lead surgical assistant to renowned heart surgeon Michael DeBakey, who was rapidly pioneering changes in open-heart surgery at that time. Esther's career as a registered nurse continued for a total of 51 years, 34 in critical care nursing and her last 17 years in chemical-dependency nursing at the Baton Rouge General's Chemical Dependency Unit, using her immense skill, compassion, and ingenuity to give back to the process which saved her life in 1975. Esther is survived by two children, Stephen (wife Fran) of Baton Rouge, and Antoinette "Toni" of Atlanta. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jesse Jehue Coppage and Mary Catherine Bell Coppage, siblings Carlos, Iris, Mark, and Mary, and nephews Carlos, Jr. and Mark Jr. She will be fondly remembered by many, especially those from Christ Covenant Church, whom she adored and who loved her well. Esther's family would like to express their deepest thanks to Dr. J. David West, Dr. J. Casey Chapman, Dr. Chambliss Harrod, Dr. Tara Jarreau, and Glenn Landry, NP and each of their staffs for their exceptional care and compassion to Esther. In addition, the family thanks the 3rd floor staff of the HVICU for their exceptional care and compassion. Visitation at Christ Covenant Church on Saturday from 9:00 am until services at 10:00 am. Private burial services at Resthaven Gardens of Memory. In lieu of flowers, gifts in Esther's memory may be directed to Christ Covenant Church, 1700 Lee Drive, Baton Rouge La 70808; http://christcovenantchurch.net/giving.

Visitation

Christ Covenant Church
1700 Lee Dr
Baton Rouge, LA  70808
Saturday, September 9, 2017
9:00 am - 10:00 am

Service

Christ Covenant Church
1700 Lee Dr
Baton Rouge, LA  70808
Saturday, September 9, 2017
10:00 am