(From Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary)Josephine Marie Estes passed from this life to life eternal on December 11, 2021 at Freeman Hospital with family present. She was 83 years old.
Marie was born in Joplin, MO on September 3, 1938. Her parents were Agnes M. Wald and Joseph J. Knowles. Growing up, she lived with her mother and step-father, Charles P. Ward, who loved her as his own daughter. It was Charles who made Marie promise to complete her education, a promise she would keep.
Marie attended Washington Elementary, East Jr. High, and Joplin High School. She would later graduate with a BSED from Missouri Southern State University and a Masters Degree from Pittsburg State University.
Marie married her high school sweetheart, Bob Estes, in 1954 and gave birth to three children: Ted, Brian, and Marsha. Marie was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, aunt, and friend. For four generations, her home always bustled with the food, fun, and laughter she shared with the children in her family and their friends. She was always ready for a new adventure.
Marie took the promise she made to pursue education to the next level and shared it with others. She became an accomplished and innovative educator committed to encouraging all students, but especially young women, to reach their potential.
Her teaching focus was in business and accounting. She taught at MSSU, Verona High School, and for 26 years at Galena High School. Her final teaching position was as the developer and director of the Virtual High School in Galena, KS.
The Virtual School was targeted at helping At-Risk students, and those who had dropped out of school, to complete their high school education. She was very successful in this new venture, particularly in convincing and supporting adults who had dropped out of high school to return and earn their diploma. She wanted no child or adult left behind.
Marie was very involved in social and service groups that make Jasper County a better place to live. She was active in the American Business Women’s Association, from the early 1970’s, supporting the advancement of women in the Joplin business community. In 1972, Marie was inducted in to the Order of the Eastern Star (OES), Temple Chapter 95, and died just two months shy of completing 50 years of service. As an OES member, she served in all of the chapter offices, including Worthy Matron. Marie was also a dual member in Ruth Chapter #177. In 2013 she was appointed as the OES Grand Representative of Kentucky in Missouri.
A lifelong Christian, Marie was an active member of Grace Episcopal Church in Carthage, MO. She put her talents for organization and needlework to good use at Grace Church. For many years, she sewed costumes for the Christmas Pageant and Annual Dinner Theatre. She also organized and maintained the cassocks and cottas for the acolytes who served at Grace’s altar. Occasionally, she would do repairs on the vestments worn by the priest. She also sewed specialty clothing for residents of St. Luke’s Nursing Center, a Grace Church ministry. At Grace Church, Marie cooked dinners, encouraged friends, ministered to children and the elderly, worshiped God, and lived her faith with love and joy.
Marie is survived by her children, Ted Estes (Melinda) of Carthage, MO, Brian Estes (Kelly) of Joplin, MO, and Marsha Spiares (Don) of Joplin, MO.
Five grandchildren, Bianca Randall (Ritchie) of Joplin, MO, Joshua Cornman (Josey), Marshall Estes, Theo Estes of Chicago, IL and Andrew Schesser of Springfield, MO., Six great-grandchildren, Eli Cornman, Sydni Cornman, Zack Randall, Devin Randall, Jayden Camerer, Jamasyn Strickland, Max Randall, Jake Randall, of Joplin, MO, One great-great-grandchild, Castiel Cornman of Joplin, MO.
Marie was preceded in death by Bob Estes (2004), her husband of 46 years, her parents, Agnes Ward (2004) and Joseph Knowles (1999), Stepfather, Charles Ward (1967), her siblings, Helen Ward (1943), Agnes (1973), Henry Ward (1997), and Clyde Ward (2017) and her grandson, Caleb H. Cornman (2012).
Events
Marie was very involved in social and service groups that make Jasper County a better place to live. She was active in the American Business Women’s Association, from the early 1970’s, supporting the advancement of women in the Joplin business community. In 1972, Marie was inducted in to the Order of the Eastern Star (OES), Temple Chapter 95, and died just two months shy of completing 50 years of service. As an OES member, she served in all of the chapter offices, including Worthy Matron. Marie was also a dual member in Ruth Chapter #177. In 2013 she was appointed as the OES Grand Representative of Kentucky in Missouri.
A lifelong Christian, Marie was an active member of Grace Episcopal Church in Carthage, MO. She put her talents for organization and needlework to good use at Grace Church. For many years, she sewed costumes for the Christmas Pageant and Annual Dinner Theatre. She also organized and maintained the cassocks and cottas for the acolytes who served at Grace’s altar. Occasionally, she would do repairs on the vestments worn by the priest. She also sewed specialty clothing for residents of St. Luke’s Nursing Center, a Grace Church ministry. At Grace Church, Marie cooked dinners, encouraged friends, ministered to children and the elderly, worshiped God, and lived her faith with love and joy.
Marie is survived by her children, Ted Estes (Melinda) of Carthage, MO, Brian Estes (Kelly) of Joplin, MO, and Marsha Spiares (Don) of Joplin, MO.
Five grandchildren, Bianca Randall (Ritchie) of Joplin, MO, Joshua Cornman (Josey), Marshall Estes, Theo Estes of Chicago, IL and Andrew Schesser of Springfield, MO., Six great-grandchildren, Eli Cornman, Sydni Cornman, Zack Randall, Devin Randall, Jayden Camerer, Jamasyn Strickland, Max Randall, Jake Randall, of Joplin, MO, One great-great-grandchild, Castiel Cornman of Joplin, MO.
Marie was preceded in death by Bob Estes (2004), her husband of 46 years, her parents, Agnes Ward (2004) and Joseph Knowles (1999), Stepfather, Charles Ward (1967), her siblings, Helen Ward (1943), Agnes (1973), Henry Ward (1997), and Clyde Ward (2017) and her grandson, Caleb H. Cornman (2012).
Events
Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at Thornhill-Dillon Funeral Home
4:30 pm - Eastern Star Ritual
5:00pm to 6:00pm - Family will receive friends for a time of visitation.
Thornhill-Dillon Funeral Home, 602 South Byers, Joplin, MO 64801
Thursday, December 23, 2021 at Grace Episcopal Church
1:00pm Requiem Mass - Funeral Service
Grace Episcopal Church, 820 Howard, Carthage, MO 64836
Burial at Ozark Memorial Park, Joplin, MO following services
Pallbearers: Joshua Cornman, Eli Cornman, Marshall Estes, Theo Estes, Andrew Schesser, Ritchie Randall
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in honor of Marie Estes to Grace Episcopal Church Memorial Fund, PO BOX 596, Carthage, MO or mailed to Thornhill-Dillon Funeral Home.
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