Betty Sue Esnault

Mrs. Betty J. Esnault was granted her heavenly wings peacefully with her loved ones by her side on Thursday, February 06, 2025, at the age of 82. Mrs. Esnault was born on January 02, 1943, to the late Ms. Carrie Taylor in Marianna, Arkansas. She was one of seven children. Betty graduated with honors from Robert R. Moton High School in Marianna. She kept in contact with her high school, and often travelled to Marianna to participate in a school reunion that is dedicated to providing scholarships to deserving students. She was inducted into the Hall of Fame. She came to Pontiac after graduating from high school. Betty attended the former Pontiac Business Institute, Oakland Community College and Wayne State University where she graduated Cum Laude with her Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.

During her life, Betty worked for a number of companies, Michigan Bell as a long distance operator and a supervisor and Lear Siegler Information Network before she was hired at General Motors Truck and Bus. It was there that she found she could make a difference. She has always had the desire to improve the lives of others. Betty was instrumental in improving the assembly processes through the introduction of Ergonomics. She attended the former General Motors Institute (now Kettering Institute) and the University of Michigan to gain knowledge in the field of ergonomics. She was successful in working with tool designers to acquire ergonomically designed tools. As an Engineering Group Manager, she worked with a team of manufacturing engineers and automobile designers to establish common assembly processes that helped eliminate employee injuries and provide ease of assembly. Betty retired from General Motors after 32 years as a Technical Integration Engineer.

Betty was a long time member of St. Damien Catholic Parish which includes the Shrine of St. Joseph, St. Michael and St. Vincent de Paul. She became a member in 1964. It was at St. Vincent where she and her husband, Norbert Esnault, were married. Betty attended Sacred Heart Major Seminary graduating with a diploma in Pastoral Ministry. She was a volunteer Liturgical Coordinator where she worked closely with the Pastoral staff in the training of extraordinary ministers of Communion, lay ministers, and planning bi-lingual services. She was also a substitute teacher for religious education, scheduled lay ministers for the three English weekend services, and she sang in the choir.

For many years, Betty went to American House in Pontiac on three Thursdays of the month to lead a Communion service. She served on the Board of Directors for the Matchan Nutrition Center where you would find her most Tuesdays and Thursdays, serving nutritious meals and finding assistance for those in need. She served as the President of the Board of Directors at Fr. Pops Clinic. Fr. Pops is a free clinic with volunteer doctors, nurses and office staff providing their services to those without insurance or under insured. Betty also volunteered there every Wednesday afternoon.

Betty was a Life Member of the NAACP and a Diamond Life Member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. Betty joined her Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. in 1994 and served within Lambda Rho Zeta Chapter faithfully. Within her sorority, Betty once received recognition as Life Member of the Year from the Great Lakes Region and was recognized for her community service and strong support of the sorority. Her Legacy will continue within Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. through her granddaughter, Victoria.

Betty was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 53 years, Norbert J. Esnault; her mother Carrie Taylor; siblings Curtis Taylor, Dorothy Bell, LaVoyce Taylor and Barbara Taylor; stepdaughter Johnnie Sue Washington (Dave); bonus son Gregory Batchelor (Darliss). She leaves to cherish her memories her son, James Bernard Esnault of Southfield, MI; stepchildren, Berdell Johnson of Fayetteville, GA and Norbert Allen Esnault of Windsor, Canada; Niece-Daughter, Sonja Taylor-Holtzclaw (Gregory) of Rosebud, TX.; bonus son, Michael William; grandchildren, Victoria Esnault Brewer (Edell) of Loganville, GA., Alexandria Swift of Chicago, Ill., Dennis Swift, Jr. of Southfield, MI.; great-grandson, Everett Brewer of Loganville, GA.; twin brothers, Morris Taylor (Theresa) of Copperas Cove, TX., Maurice Taylor (Vickie) of Cameron, TX.; and a host of extended family including grandchildren and great-grands by marriage, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The family will receive friends for visitation on Friday, February 14, 2025, from 3:00-7:00 p.m., with Rosary prayers to be said at 6:00 p.m. at Sparks-Griffin Funeral Home, Pontiac. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Damien of Molokai Parish - St. Vincent de Paul Church. In leui of flowers, please consider donating to the St. Vincent de Paul Society in her honor.