Funeral services for Esther H. Hart Bascom of Clarksville, Tenn., formerly of Brookhaven, will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17, at Brookhaven Funeral Home on Natchez Drive with burial in Mt. Olive Church of Christ Cemetery. Esther’s nephew, Dr. Royce Garvin, will officiate. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. on Saturday until the time of the service. Brookhaven Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, 601-833-1441. Esther’s nephew, Dr. Royce Garvin, will officiate.

     Esther died on Nov. 13, 2012, following a brief illness. She was born on Nov. 2, 1925, in Pickens, to Nick and Alma O’Keefe Helm. Esther graduated from Holmes Jr. College and Delta State College with a double major in English and History. She loved music and took piano and voice lessons during her youth and through college. While working as a representative for the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis (March of Dimes), Esther gave a presentation to the Brookhaven Lions Club during which she met her future husband, Royce R. Hart.

     After their marriage Esther worked in the Lincoln County Chancery Clerk’s Office with Royce for many years.  Esther later taught History and Spoken English at Brookhaven High School.  She loved teaching and enjoyed being a Senior Sponsor and working with the student annual staff and in the concession stand at football games.  Esther was a member of Brookway Church of Christ, Matinee Musicale, the Mothers Club and the Bridge Club.

     She was preceded in death by her parents and by her husband of 36 years, Royce R. Hart, by her second husband, Roy Bascom, by her brother, Nick Helm Jr., and by her cousin, Helen Goddard.

     She is survived by her sister, Virginia (Charlie) Donald of Goodman, by her daughter Ethebet (Mike) Hart Gibson of Clarksville, Tenn., by grandsons Michael Hart Gibson of Clarksville, Tenn., Tavis (Sabrina) Gibson of Clarksville, Tenn., and Matthew (Randi) Gibson of Clifty, Ky., by great-grandchildren Shelby Gibson, Bronson Gibson, Aiden Gibson, and Braxton Gibson, and by many beloved nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

     Esther’s family would like to thank the staff of Walking Horse Meadows and the staff of Cumberland Care, especially including Alice and Loida, for their excellent care of Esther. The family would like to give very special thanks to Carolyn Hillman, Esther’s caregiver of 11 years, for her loving care and companionship for Esther.

     In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Sunnybrook Children’s Home, Brookway Church of Christ, or Mt. Olive Church of Christ Cemetery Fund. Arrangements entrusted to Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home, 1510 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN 37040.

     Online condolences may be made at www.neal-tarpley.com.