Esther Mary Robertson Steels was born to the late Georgia Douglass Robinson and Jimmie Robertson on February 11, 1936 in Brownsville Tennessee. She and her brother lived with their grandfather on his farm until 1948. Coming from a family of strong faith, Esther gave her life to Christ and was baptized at Good Hope Baptist Church in 1947.

In 1948 her mother returned to the farm and took Esther and her brother to Chico California. She attended school at Oakdale Elementary, Central Junior High and Chico High.

Esther loved spending time with her family. She enjoyed her occasional visits to St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. Her favorite pastime consisted of fishing, cooking, car rides, watching Wheel of Fortune, and playing dominoes while talking smack. Esther was a generous giver and was always thoughtful of others. She insisted on calling her brother at least once a week and faithfully checked on her Aunt Rose Esther Miller.

She departed this life on August 1, 2018, at 5:00 a.m. She is preceded in death by her father, mother, and children Willa Mae Mims, and Anthony Steels.

She leaves to cherish her memories her daughters Cynthia Barbette Yancey, Georgia Covington Smith, Wilma Washington-Reed and son Leslie Covington, her sister Tommie Robertson of Milwaukee Wisconsin, beloved brother Jesse Robinson and his wife Loraine of Wellington Florida, her aunt Rose, Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren and great-great grandchildren and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and other caring and loving friends and relatives.