Cesta Gooden Poitier, 90 years young, transitioned to eternal life on Sunday, December 31, 2017 at her residence in Pelham, Georgia.  Born February 15, 1927 in Pelham, Georgia, she was the second oldest daughter of the late Mr. Joe Gooden and Mrs. Rosa Isalene Capp Gooden.  Mrs. Poitier was a dedicated and faithful member of Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Pelham, Georgia where her ancestors were one of the original founders.  She was preceded in death by her husband, William O. Poitier; son, Armel D. Poitier and daughter, Pamela Y. Poitier Dickerson.

She was a graduate of Savannah State College in Savannah, Georgia having earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Elementary Education.  As a longtime teacher of 40+ years in the Mitchell County public school system, she had a passion for educating her students and encouraged them to reach above and beyond their own potential.  She loved sharing her knowledge with others and was an inspiration to many.  No one could end a conversation with her without having experienced a sense of joy and laughter.  Her kind and warm-hearted personality was one to be remembered and she did not hesitate in showing her generosity to others in need whether related or a distant friend. Her character could be described as spunky.

The legacy of her love, strength and beauty will be cherished forever by those who loved her dearly.  She is survived by her grandchildren, Brian Dickerson and Maya Dickerson of Princess Anne, MD; son-in-law, Michael Dickerson of Mt. Rainier, MD; her sister, Cleatrice (Oliver) Murray of Atlanta, GA; her nieces and nephews, Beverly (Reginald) Hester of Stone Mountain, GA, Dr. Toya (Bryan) Kelley of Augusta, GA, Kaitlyn and Kimberly Kelley of Augusta, GA, Terrence (Erica) Hester of Jacksonville, FL, Marley Rose Hester of Jacksonville, FL, Inna (Michael) Pullum of Orlando, FL, Joshua and Jonathan Pullum of Orlando, FL, Ernest (Greer) Anderson of Actworth, GA, Gaston Anderson, Garrick Anderson and McKensie Anderson of Actworth, GA, Dr. Charles West of Albany, GA, Eboni and Fatima West of Atlanta, GA,  Rosa Rogers of Macon, GA; Tommy Poitier of Atlanta, GA, Portia Mitchell of Las Vegas, Nevada; brother-in-law, Joseph Rogers, Sr. of Ocilla, GA; and a host of other relatives, friends and neighbors.