Mary Estes

Mary Estes, 88, former resident of Mexico, passed away Monday, Jan. 3, 2011, at Lenoir Woods Care Center in Columbia.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 6, at Pickering Funeral Home with the Rev. Gary Pillischafske officiating. Burial will be in East Lawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 9:30 until the time of service at the funeral home.

Mary Meador Estes was born in Oil Trough, Ark., on Feb. 21, 1922, to Charles and Laura Meador. In 1934 the family moved to Auxvasse, Mo., where Mary graduated from the Auxvasse High School in 1941. Mary moved to Mexico where she met her future husband, Earl Estes, and they were married on May 22, 1942.

Earl and Mary moved to Benton City in the late 1940 s where they became active sponsors of the Benton City Christian Church Youth Ministry. The friendships they made during those years became a life-long source of enjoyment for them. In the 1960 s the family relocated to Mexico when Mary became the Ladies Fashion Manager for the Montgomery Ward Store on the square. In the late 1970 s Mary purchased 13 acres on Hwy FF where she planted trees, flowers and a garden. In the early 1990 s they sold their home at 720 Monroe Street to the Hardee s restaurant and relocated to a new home they had built on their property at Hwy FF. A visit to their home would always include an invitation to walk the paths they kept mowed so that everyone could see the deer, turkeys and flowers planted among the trees.

Mary is survived by three children, Patricia (Tony) Garcia, Columbia, Larry (Cheri) Estes, Baldwin, and Paula Belcher, Columbia; one sister, Mildred Meador Mason, Rogersville, Mo.; 7 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren.

Her husband, Earl, preceded her in death and has been waiting for her since Oct. 24, 2004. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Charles Dally Meador; and two sisters, Reba Meador Penn and Frances Marie Meador Frye Pipke.

Mary was an avid lover of the outdoors. She frequently used those items in floral arrangements and centerpieces that she shared with her family and friends. She loved to watch the birds in her back yard and as such the family encourages you to take a moment to feed and enjoy the birds also.

Memorials may be made to the Benton City Christian Church and may be sent in care of Pickering Funeral Home, 403 N Western, Mexico, MO 65265.