Mary Louise Estes

Mary Louise Estes, 84, of Cape Girardeau, MO passed away Tuesday December 27, 2016 at Chateau Girardeau, surrounded by loved ones. Mary was born March 5, 1932 in Atchison, Kansas to Senator F. Steadman and Eleanor Ball. She was the eldest of three girls, followed by Susan and Nancy. Mary loved music. At the age of 3, she began playing the piano and continued to play for 80 years. She and her younger sister Susan used to play and sing together: Mary would play piano and sing some, and Susan would sing and play violin. Mary played piano for her middle and high school choirs and a local dance studio. Mary attended Atchison High School, was a debutant, and graduated in 1950. She continued her education in Topeka, Kansas at Washburn University where she graduated with a degree in Sociology in 1954. Mary married her high school sweetheart James Carl Estes later that same year. When her husband’s job with J.C. Penny’s moved them to Lawrence, Kansas, she worked briefly at the University of Kansas. Mary remained an avid Jayhawk fan until her death. In 1956, James, Mary, and their one-year old son David moved to Cape Girardeau, MO. For a while, Mary used her degree and worked as a social worker. Their family added three more children over the next seven years: Sandra, Daniel, and Richard. Mary remained very involved in the local community over the next six decades. Mary was a charter member of the local P.E.O Chapter, JN of which her daughter and granddaughter are also members. She helped start Westminster Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau shortly after they moved, where she was a choir director and youth leader prior to attending Abbey Road Christian Church. Since then, Mary faithfully attended Abbey Road Christian Church, where she sang in the choir. Mary also helped found the Cape Evening Lions Club where she was active until 2015. When her daughter and son-in-law started SERVPRO of Cape Girardeau & Scott Counties in 1992, Mary became their first secretary and continued to work there until October 2015. Mary loved teaching music. She taught piano and organ at Shivelbine’s years ago, and she taught private piano lessons out of her home for 60 years. Composing music was also a hobby of hers, and her church group performed several of her pieces. She also sang in a community choir called Sweet Adelines for a number of years. Those that know and love Mary will remember her for her love of music, her wit, and her caring nature. Mary was always asking how she could help. She was a friend to many and will be greatly missed. She is survived by her sister Nancy Youngman and Bill; sister-in-law Joy (Estes) Cole; brother-in-law Harley Brown; her four children: son, David Estes and Elizabeth of Chesterfield, Missouri; daughter, Sandy (Estes) Hastings and Richard of Jackson, Missouri; son, Daniel Estes and Anne of Wentzville, Missouri; son, Richard Estes and Cindy of Webster Groves, Missouri; 18 grandchildren: Kristin (Estes) Messey and Dale, Joe Estes, Kelly (Estes) Hoelscher and Jason, Andy Estes and Brittany, Brittany (Hastings) Davenport and Mac, Hayley Estes, Helene Estes, Sara (Hastings) Wingate, Alex Brockman and Catherine, Olivia Brockman, Cori Radetic and Travis, Ashli Durham; nine great-grandchildren: Samuel, August, Kinley, Hunter, Roslyn, Alexis, Joshua, Ty, and Brandon; great-nephew, Aaron Repp; other relatives. Mary was preceded in death by her parents Senator Francis Steadman Ball and Eleanor Margaret (Campbell) Ball; sister, Susan (Ball) Brown; niece, Tana (Brown) Repp; grandson, Kendal Brian Hastings. Visitation will be Friday, December 30, 2016 from 10AM-12PM at Ford & Sons Mt. Auburn Funeral Home. The funeral service will be at 12PM Friday at the funeral home with Pastor Jeff Long and Mac Davenport officiating. Burial will be at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Abbey Road Christian Church. Special thanks to the compassionate care staff at Chateau Girardeau and Southeast Hospice.

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Mary Louise Estes

March 5, 1932 - December 27, 2016