Obituaries

Esther Rodriguez Farley passed away peacefully on August 25, 2024 in Sherman, Texas. She will be inurned at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, according to her wishes, next to her husband, Austell Steve Farley, who preceded her in death.

Esther was born in Greenville, Texas to Brigida and Juan Rodriguez on January 29, 1947.

She graduated from Sherman High School in 1966 and went on to earn her nursing degree from Grayson County College in 1968.

Esther worked in Dallas as a Registered Nurse for many years. She joined the Peace Corps in1977 and voyaged to Honduras to care for the patients there. When she returned home, she became a travel nurse and worked in St. Croix, Virgin Islands, Alaska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Utah, Connecticut, Ohio, Colorado, Indiana and San Antonio, Texas. In New Mexico she worked for the Bureau of Indian Health in Gallup and cared for the Native American population. In Albuquerque she worked at the VA hospital and cared for our nations finest.

At the VA in Albuquerque she met her love Steve Farley, also a registered nurse. They wed and worked together at the VA and later retired in Surprise, Arizona.

Esther is preceded in death by sisters, Juanita Mexia, Mary Burns, Ramona Rodriguez, Elaine Rodriguez; brothers: Johnny Rodriguez and Jesse Rodriguez; brothers in law: Billy Don Bearden and Steve Mexia, Sr.; niece, Victoria Mexia Swenson and nephew, John Bearden.

Esther is survived by her sister, Rose Bearden and brother Joe Rodriguez; sister in law, Patsy LaFoy Rodriguez; step daughter, Stephany Farley; nephews: Steve Mexia, Jr., Marcus Mexia, Sr., Michael Mexia, Roger Guerra, Randy Joe Rodriguez, Sr., Adam Rodriguez, James Rodriguez, Eric Witcher, Marcus Mexia, Jr., CJ Mexia, Seve Mexia, Randy Joe Rodriguez, Jr., Ryan Guerra, Lucas Swenson, Caleb Rodriguez, Anthony Coffman, Gavin Witcher, Deacon Lippard, Issac Rodriguez, Grady Tomlinson and Daniel Tomlinson.

Nieces: Cindy Rodriguez Guerra, Carolyn Mexia, Linda Rodriguez, Dean Collins, Lisa Rodriguez, Adriana Rodriguez, Bridget Hammer, Rene Witcher, Piper Bearden, Sarah McKendree, Stephanie Mexia Lippard, Sadie Mexia, Marissa Tomlinson, Amanda Holcomb, Diamond Witcher, Jessie Crafton, Christina Guerra, Celine Rodriguez, Marisa Rodriguez, Marilyn Rodriguez, Abigail Coffman and Emma McKendree.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Hydari, nurses and doctors of TMC, Homestead of Sherman and Concho Heart Hospice for caring for our precious Esther.