Esther L. Safford a loving, generous, caring mother/grandmother entered this life on April 18, 1922 and departed May 9, 2017 at the age of 95. Esther was born in Zanesville, Ohio to the late Hugh and Hazel Mayle. Esther graduated valedictorian, first in her class, from Hopewell High School in Hopewell, Ohio 1940. Esther was employed by and retired after 31 years from the State of Ohio Department of Transportation.


Esther loved to cook and was an advent boater with the Woman’s Auxiliary, Battery Park Yacht Club. She was also very active in the community by volunteering for Bells No. 26 a charitable organization for Franklin County mental health services along with TWIGS (Together With Important Goals) 110, a women’s fundraising organization supporting Children’s Hospital where she chaired events like the Ebony Fashion Fair in Columbus organizing ticket sales.


Esther is preceded in death by her first husband Douglas Duval Woods widowed in 1950; and her second husband Randolph Safford Sr.; sister Ella L. Anderson; nieces Kyle-Lynn Anderson and Karen Humphreys-Guzman. Survived by brother Hugh Mayle Jr. (Gloria); sons William D. Woods, Randy Safford (Michele); cousins Tandrea Nash, Mary Clifford, Louise Mayle, Bobby Adams, Jimmy Adams and Sammy Adams; nephews Kenneth Mayle, Douglas Mayle (Yvonne), Hugh Mayle III and Boyce Safford Jr; grandchildren William R. Woods, Tianna E. Woods, Monifa Hawthorne (Zolly), Nakai E. Willis (TeAndre), Dionte’J. Redmond, Travis W. Scott, Lyndi E. Safford, Maya L. Scott; great-grandchildren Macaela, Marzane, Marquis, Ka’Isis, Dionte’ II, TeAndre II, LeCrae, Nia and Tyani. Esther also considered Amber, Rose, Audrey, Celeste, Royal, Ashley, Aliscia, Dallas, Austyn, Dyani (Eduardo) Tenille and Justice grand and great grandchildren. Her dear friends, the family of Alma Croskery and Margret Lee are also considered family.


In lieu of flowers donations can be made in the honor of Esther L. Safford at Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation TWIG 110 P.O. Box 16810, Columbus, Ohio 43216-6810