Celebrating Esther Culp’s life on a spring morning

Signs of spring were everywhere: In the soft, warm sunshine, and in the splashes of purple and pink foliage, and in the umbrella of greenery that wreathed the church. On that lovely day, in the midst of an early High Point Market, they came to say goodbye to the vibrant force that was Esther Culp.

They filled the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, whose gothic spire rose above the  spring tableau arrayed around it. Palm Sunday was two days away.

The memorial service – officially “A service of witness to the resurrection and celebration of the life of Esther Royer Culp” – filled the sanctuary with church members and family friends and leaders from the home furnishings industry. They came to remember the woman whose family name stands high on the company’s headquarters several miles away.

Esther Culp, 88, was the wife of Culp co-founder Bob Culp, and the mother of Culp chairman Rob Culp. She was a woman of strength and vision, a Citizen of the Year in High Point, a pillar – and servant - of her church. She touched many in her long, productive life. Ushers set chairs alongside the pews to accommodate everyone.

The morning service was presided over by the Rev. Dr. Scott Woodmansee, her former minister at First Presbyterian Church, and by the Rev. Dr. Ken Broman-Fulks, the current minister at the historic church.

In his meditation, Dr. Broman-Fulks talked about what Esther Culp taught her friends and family about life and living. He recalled her enthusiasm for the future: She was a strong supporter of the church’s Journey In Faith program, which will see new buildings added on the church grounds.

Esther Culp’s own words were part of the service. Her handwritten farewell was read aloud:

“Grieve not nor speak of
me with tears
but
laugh and talk of me
as though
I were beside you.
I loved you so
‘Twas heaven here
with you.”

And then, when the comforting words of Psalm 23 had been recited by the congregation and everyone had sung “Onward, Christian Soldiers,” the service came to an end. Former Sealy chairman Ron Jones and current Sealy chairman Dave McIlquham and La-Z-Boy CEO Kurt Darrow, among other home furnishings dignitaries, filed slowly out of the church. It was spring in High Point, a beautiful season of rebirth, renewal and hope.