Martha Jane Esslinger

View Funeral Webcast Mrs. Martha Jane Pilkinton Esslinger, 84, a resident of Columbia, Tennessee, died Friday, August 6, 2021 at NHC Maury Regional Transitional Care. Funeral services for Mrs. Esslinger will be conducted Sunday, August 8th at 4:00 p.m. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Russ Countess and David Morris officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery. The family will visit with friends from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com. Born December 17, 1936, she was the daughter of the late Earl Thomas Pilkinton and the late Ida Mae Dugger Pilkinton. She was the widow of Carl John Esslinger. Mrs. Esslinger was a retired teacher who lived many years in Tabernacle, New Jersey. She loved sewing, quilting, reading and cooking, and taking care of people. Mrs. Esslinger was a member of the Highland Church of Christ. Survivors include her sons, David (Bonnie) Esslinger of Columbia, John (Eve) Esslinger of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania and William (Diane) Esslinger of Tabernacle, New Jersey; daughters, Nancy Esslinger of Gettysburg Pennsylvania, Peg (Larry) Miller of Laveen, Arizona and Grace Vanada of Warminster, Pennsylvania; brother, James Pilkinton and Thomas Pilkinton of Culleoka; sisters, Mary Pilkinton of Columbia and Rachel Ammons of Knoxville; sixteen grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, David Pilkinton. Memorials may be made to Highland Church of Christ 497 East James Campbell Blvd. Columbia, Tennessee 38401 and Columbia Academy 1101 West 7th Street Columbia, Tennessee 38401.