MARIANNA, Ark. (KTHV) Family and Friends are paying their final respects to a beloved corporal, killed while serving in one of Arkansas' state prisons. Funeral services were held for Corporal Barbara Ester in Marianna. Officers estimate around a thousand people showed up at Corporal Ester's service.
Prison Authorities say an inmate stabbed corporal Ester while she was on the job with the Arkansas Department of Correction. Family and friends remember the dedicated worker as someone who was always positive and helpful. "Barbara was very outgoing, like they say she is the life of the party; always willing to help and she was real involved in her church," says family member Natasha Barkins.
Barkins is Barbara Esters cousin and says she will always remember her smile. Her cousin isn't the only one with positive memories. "We have had a lot of support from correctional departments around the country and the support from these law enforcement agencies is just over whelming." Shea Wilson with the State department of correction says other prison's correctional facilities from across the country sent representatives to the funeral. "At a very awful time it has been uplifting for the department," explains Wilson.
Honor guardsmen from across the country came out to Corporal Barbara Ester's service at Lee High School in Marianna. Authorities say an inmate with a pair of unauthorized tennis shoes stabbed corporal Ester while she was working at the Arkansas Department of Correction. A job she spent 12 years of her life on, it was there that her cousin and former co worker Cecily Bennett made fond memories with Ester.
"Very helpful and cheerful she always had something to talk about; she was one of those people who liked to joke around. She would just look at you and point at you and say, hey get on your job."
It's memories that show Corporal Esters laugh-that Barkins will hold on to. "She just had a smile that you wouldn't forget."
The funeral was held inside the Lee High school auditorium I'm told the place was packed and many officers gave up their seats so family members could have one. Also many of Corporal Ester's co-workers wore black ribbons today. The Arkansas Association of Correctional Employees trust will cover her funeral cost and is providing 3 thousand dollars to the family for other expenses.
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