Esther Jean Macon

The Life of Esther Jean Odiest Harris

February 14, 1939 – October 8, 2021

Esther Jean Macon, the youngest of five children, was born on February 14, 1939 in Louisa County, Virginia to Emmett Oliver Harris and Mabel Arabelle (Lewis) Harris. At a young age, Jean relocated to Washington, DC where she was raised on Half Street, SW.

She and her maternal family were introduced to Jehovah, and at an early age she was baptized as a Jehovah’s Witness.  

Jean was educated in DC Public Schools and attended Spingarn High School. She met and later married William Taylor Powell (deceased), and from that 23-year union, they were blessed with six fabulous children.

She raised her children on Nicholson Street, in Riggs Park, the Northeast Section of DC, where she lived for over 60 years. Jean loved to draw and paint, and was very artistic. Some days she could be found drawing and oil painting with William and Bruce, and their childhood friend, Robert “Big Head Bobbie” Johnson. Ma also loved a good game of Spades, Bid Whist, and Pokeno, Pinochle, Jacks, Backgammon, Scrabble and Words with Friends, with family and friends. On our street, she could often be heard calling us home to eat dinner or come in when the street lights came on. Eventually, the kids on the block came up with the chant “Billy, Brucie, Mickie, Lynn, where those two darn hard-headed twins?” Lol!!!! , Mia and Kia.

In 1980 she wed the late Baxter J. Macon, Jr, and his four children from a prior marriage became her own and vice versa. Step (son/daughter) was not a part of the vocabulary in our home. Education was very important, and college was the only option in the Powell/Macon household. All of us graduated college and 8 went on to pursue advanced degrees. No doubt they bragged and bolstered about us to anyone who would listen, had a pair of ears or hearing aid.

Jean was affectionately called “Grandma Google” or “GiGi” for short, because she googled everything and everybody. She did not hesitate to pick up the phone and ask “Did you see (fill in the name) Facebook Page?” To her Postal Family and bowling league team, Jean was better known as “Jaypee”. After the twins, Kia and Mia were old enough to start half-day kindergarten, she began her career with the U.S. Postal Service. She worked in supervisory positions are several locations including North Capitol, Anacostia, Brookland, Congress Heights, and Friendship Heights, and retired at the young age of 52.

Jean was spoiled in every way by her children, and they did everything to show her unconditional love. She would often visit and spend weeks to months on end wherever her children, grand and great- grandchildren lived. Whether she was in Cleveland, Atlanta, Dunkirk, Eastern Shore or Fort Washington, she had a scrabble game, personal living space, and was the “Queen” of the Castle.

Miss me but let me go

When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room.
Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little–but not too long
And not with your head bowed low.
Remember the love that we once shared,
Miss me–but let me go.

For this is a journey that we all must take
And each must go alone.
It's all a part of the Master's plan,
A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick of heart
Go to the friends we know
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds.
Miss Me–But Let me Go!

Funeral service to be announced!

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