Esterine Dawson Hargrove

Born in Macon, Georgia, Esterine Hargrove moved to Ludowici, Georgia, and grew up there before attending the University of Georgia. After graduating from UGA, she taught business courses at Screven High School in Screven, Georgia. Esterine enrolled at the Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky to learn more about the Bible. She also wanted to marry a preacher until she met Phil and married him — a step up to a Christian educator! While Phil finished at Southern, she taught business classes at DuPont Manual High School in Louisville. Upon graduating from Southern, they moved to Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia, where Phil was the Minister of Music and Education. Esterine was involved in the Women’s Missionary Union, Sunday School classes, and other ministries there. When they were called to Taylors First Baptist Church, she invested in people’s lives by leading a girl’s GA group, WMU, Program Chair of XYZ, Child Evangelism Fellowship, and was involved in numerous Bible studies and life groups. She also taught business courses at Greenville Technical College. Esterine loved to tell stories, hear laughter, and enjoy their friendship. She had a tender heart for marginalized people and met their needs in very practical ways. In her spare time, Esterine liked watching sports, especially college football and basketball. She also loved her dogs over the years. A devoted wife, a caring mom, and an involved grandmother, she spent much of her time partnering in ministry with Phil at TFBC, supporting Tommy and Phil Lee in their church ministry, and enjoying her six grandchildren: Ethan, Landon, Allie, Mia, Lincoln, and Rosa Hargrove. Her husband, Phil, two sons, Thomas William Hargrove (Tanya) of Hanahan, SC, and Phillip Lee Hargrove, Jr. (Cary) of Greenville, SC, and grandchildren Alexina Dawson Hargrove, Carolyn Mishel Hargrove, Ethan Thomas Hargrove, Lincoln Creed Hargrove, Rosa Kevan Hargrove, and Landon Jack Hargrove, are surviving family members. Pastors Jerry Long, Thomas Hargrove, and Phillip Hargrove, Jr., will lead a memorial service at Taylors First Baptist Church on September 17, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. Visitation will follow the service at 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Child Evangelism Fellowship or other ministries of Taylors First Baptist Church. Online condolences may be made at www.thewoodmortuary.com.

Esterine Dawson Hargrove

September 19, 1940 - September 12, 2024