Esther L. McKalip, 85, of De Soto died Nov. 1, 2020, at Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City. Mrs. McKalip was a homemaker and pastored alongside her husband at the Rose of Sharon Full Gospel Temple in De Soto for 42 years. She was known for her loving, caring nature and her strong faith and love for God, and many people turned to her for prayers. Born Sept. 12, 1935, in Marble Hill, she was the daughter of the late Ira Sylvester Rhodes and Nora (Cheek) Rhodes-Raines.
She is survived by her husband of 68 years: the Rev. Carl J. McKalip of De Soto; three children: Donna (Walter) Hahn of De Soto, Sandra (Kenneth) Weber of De Soto and David E. (Ronda) McKalip of De Soto; a sister: Lorna Faye (Dale) Smith; five grandchildren: Randy McKalip, Tiffany McKalip, Carl Jason “CJ” (Susan) Hahn, Justin McKalip and the Rev. Samuel J. (Courtney) Weber; and 10 great-grandchildren: Kate, Wyatt and Jenna McKalip, Autumn and Reese McKalip, Emma McKalip, and Luke, Samuel Isaiah, Elliana and Noah Weber.
She was preceded in death by a son: Terry L. McKalip; and two sisters: Ethel L. Ransom and Wilma Baugher.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Thursday (Nov. 5) at Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home, 220 N. Main St., in De Soto. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday (Nov. 6) at the funeral home, officiated by Jack Morgan and Samuel Weber. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in De Soto. Arrangements are under the direction of Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home.