Essie Lee Pullman

Obituary for Essie Lee Pullman
Sunrise - April 24, 1935 - Sunset – November 30, 2025
Essie Lee Pullman was born April 24, 1935, in Macon, Mississippi to Ms. Eddie Lee Elston and Josea Smith.
While she spent her early childhood in Macon, in 1947, she and her family, Mom (Momma Sue), Grandmother
(Grand momma), and two brothers (Lonzell and Robert), migrated to St. Louis, Missouri. All preceded her in
death. After graduating with honors in 1953 from Sumner High School in St. Louis, Mo., Essie decided to
marry the love of her life, John Earl Pullman. Their love and friendship lasted for 40 years and to this union,
one daughter was born.
Essie was a natural caregiver and dearly loved her family. As a professional, she retired as a registered nurse
with over 30 years of service in Pediatric Care, Geriatrics, and Oncology. She provided love and care for both
ends of life from babies, cancer patients, to the elderly. With sacrificial love and devotion prior to her death,
she provided personal servanthood as a caregiver for her husband, her mother, and her brother for a total of
20 years. There was no limit when it came to her family.
Essie loved traveling, and after retirement, she often visited her daughter, Andrea, son-in-law, Cozy, Sr., and
grandson, Cozy, Jr. She would visit them often at all duty stations that they were assigned to in the United
States Marine Corps-California, Hawaii, Florida, North Carolina, and finally Virginia. She adored her grandson,
"C.C" and decided to make Dumfries, Virginia her home with her children in 2012. The family would celebrate
this monumental relocation with a birthday party on her 80 th birthday!
As a strong Christian woman, Essie loved going to church services, listening to gospel music, going to gospel
concerts, and participating in church activities. She was extremely active in her home church in St. Louis, Mo.,
and upon moving to Virginia, she decided to attend First Mount Zion Baptist Church in Dumfries, Va. with her
children. She was active in Sunday worship, Sunday School, and the Senior Ministry. She loved God with all
her heart and made the devotional study of the Bible daily as part of her morning ritual.
Essie's nickname was "Peaches" which was gotten because of her sweet nature and the peach tree that she
would climb as child that was in her front yard in Macon, Mississippi. Her daughter called her "Momma
Peaches". The name was so appropriate because of her affectionate demeanor, her sweet personality, and
her kindness. Her servanthood was always sacrificial, and she showed her love by teasing and tantalizing with
a stern look and then a smile! That's how she would always engage with family members, friends, and
patients to care for them and embrace them. That is the memory that she will leave behind.
Essie, Momma Peaches, leaves to mourn her are her devoted children, Andrea Olivia (her baby), Cozy (her
Rev. and son-in-love), and her grandson, Cozy, Jr. ("Nana's fat baby boy"). Her sister-in-love and wife of
brother Lonzell (Jack), Ruby Faye Elston. Her family legacy, nieces Vivian Lawson, Debra Bland, Angela
Elston-Hudson (Richard), Apryl Elston-Harris (Daron), great niece, LaQuisha Myers, and great-great nieces
Amirah Myers and Briana Myers.. Her nephews Gregory Garner, Rodney Garner (Pat), and great nephew,
Levi Lawson (Miesha). Her Elston/Smith family lineage and her nieces and nephews in the Pullman Family that
God gave her 72 years ago. Finally, she will be remembered by a grand number of friends of over 50 years in
St. Louis, Mo. and her new friends gained in Virginia and Maryland.
Rest well in peace, sweet Momma Peaches until we see you again. You have fought the good fight.