Yes it's true, Aunt Esther has joined her sister 'Elizabeth' up in heaven. Hopefully St. Peter has allowed Crotchety old Fred Sanford to pass through the Pearly Gates by now. While he was a grumpy opinionated old man, somewhere under that crusty exterior was a heart of gold. How else can you explain the years of putting up with the likes of Rollo, Bubba and everyone's favorite - Grady. So, As Fred stands by his beloved wife Elizabeth's side he gets confronted by Esther looming up, swinging that big black handbag to keep him inline. Poor Fred, I hope that you were able to enjoy a little bit of time alone with your beloved before Esther showed up.
As a religious viewer of 'Sanford and Son', the actress that played Aunt Esther always held a special place in my heart. While I was VERY glad that I didn't have such a garrulous, interfering old woman in my life as I grew up, I always knew that maybe I was missing out on something. I believe Lamont learned something special in his dealings with his father and aunt; hopefully that knowledge was passed on through the TV screen for us that were less fortunate. If not, well ... I DO live in the south, there are plenty of the same types of characters right outside of my front door.
During my college years I was surprised to see her on the big screen in movies like 'My Blue Heaven' and the ultimately funny classic 'Shakes the Clown'; where she played a barfly clown that was a complete turn-around from how we all originally remembered her. Many of her lines in that movie were quoted and misquoted at many parties for the next few months after seeing that piece of work. She went on to be cast a slew of movies where she pretty much played the character she had perfected on Sanford and Son.
Aunt Esther we'll miss you ... you were an aunt to all of us.
Dave ...
