Bishop Esters was truly a man with a wealth of wisdom, a spiritual man, full of the Holy Ghost who lived his testimony. There wasn't a time you could be in his presence and not hear about the goodness of the Lord before leaving him. No matter where he was. at the tire shop, in the grocery store, on the phone or wherever you may find yourself, you were going to hear about JESUS!!!

Joe Louis Esters was the 6th of 8 children born to Roosevelt and Lula Dee (Winters) Esters on September 14, 1936. He was born in Holly Ridge, MS and later moved to McGehee, AR where he completed his formal education and graduated from Desha High School in McGehee, AR.

He later moved to Dallas, TX around the age of 21 and accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. His home church in AR was True Vine MBC and then in Dallas, his home church was Riverside MBC, where he left after he was called to pastor Sweet Home MBC in Irving, TX and then called to Pastor Holley Grove MBC, in Dallas for many years and later founded Second Avenue MBC (formally known as Holy Grove MBC). For several years he held a body of people together without a building and the church was known as the CHURCH ON THE MOVE FOR CHRIST with over 60 members. He eventually ended up at this location where this building was purchased. He pastored and appointed Pastor Gaylon Harrison as the Pastor of Second Avenue MBC. He was then appointed to Bishop over Second Avenue MBC.

He was preceded in death by both parents, Mr & Mrs Roosevelt & Lula Esters, his 5 brothers, BJ Esters, RL Esters, Ezell Esters (Sadye), CL Esters, and Leon / Mary Esters. One son, Joe Anthony Esters(Sadye).

Leaving to cherish in his memories:
Wife of 10 years, Mary (Johnson) Esters, 5 Children Joyce Esters Warren of Orlando, FL; Vicki Esters of Dallas, TX; Joe Louis Roberts, of Palestine, TX; Tabitha Roberts-Enge of Palestine, TX and Timothy Paul Esters (Marie) of Dallas, TX. 3 Step-children, Marvin Hendrix, Timothy Hendrix and Victoria Hendrix all of Dallas, 1 stepdaughter, Fannie Cooksey of Dallas, TX. 2 Sisters Jewel Shaw (Cleotha) of Chicago, IL; Earlene Leonard (Lonnie) of Gary, IN and 1 god-sister, Thelma Thompson (Johnnie) of Nashville, TN. 1 aunt, Mildred Stephens of Chicago, IL. 20 grandchildren, 22 great- grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

He ventured into the boxing arena for a while. He also had a song ministry where he sang with his brothers.

He was a man of God who will truly be missed by his family and his beloved church, Second Avenue MBC.