Esther Hayes Abrahams

Esther Roberta Hayes Abrahams peacefully passed away on Monday, December 29, 2025, in Riverside, California. She was born on November 17, 1939, in Clinton, Louisiana, the tenth of eleven children born to Isaac and Lizzie Hayes. She was a devoted mother of two children, Derek and Valerie Blakely.

Esther graduated from Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, where she majored in business. While at Southern, she was initiated into the Beta Psi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in the spring of 1959. At the time of her passing, she was a Pearl Member with more than 65 years of membership.

After spending time in Washington, D.C., Esther made her home in Southern California, where she lived for the remainder of her life. It was there that she married the love of her life, Lionel Abrahams, and together they shared many years of marriage filled with travel, friendship, and joy.

In 1991, Esther became a founder of Summit Career College, reflecting her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to education. A passionate traveler, she enjoyed more than 100 cruises and explored destinations throughout the United States and around the world.

She is survived by her children, Derek Blakely (Gloria) of Colton, California, and Valerie Blakely of Los Angeles, California; and her sister, Mayola Hayes Archie of Norfolk, Virginia. Esther was cared for during the later years of her life by her devoted caregiver, Albert Dingson.

She was preceded in death by her parents Isaac and Lizzie Hayes, her husband Lionel Abrahams, three brothers, and six sisters.