Sylvia Jean (Estes) Ward

Sylvia obeyed the gospel and was baptized into Christ at the Eastside Church of Christ at the 14 1/2 Street Congregation in Austin, Tx.

Sylvia attended her first year of school in Giddings, Tx. Later she attended L L Campbell elementary, Kealing Junior High and her freshman year at the original L.C. Anderson High school in Austin, Tx. Sylvia graduated from McCullum High School in 1974.

Sylvia worked many jobs. She worked at Texas Instruments for many years. She also worked for the State of Texas in the mailroom and was also an insurance adjuster. She received an achievement award for a job well done. She retired from The State in 2019.

Sylvia loved life. Growing up in East Austin there were baseballs games that were on Sundays at Downs field. After leaving worship service Sylvia and Sharon would go to help Aunt Sister work at the concession stand. That was one of the highlights on Sunday afternoon. She loved her family and their times together especially when they would go to the lake on family outings, enjoying fishing and camping. Sylvia was an avid and competitive spade and domino player.

In 1975 Sylvia won the Miss Barber Queen for the area wide Barber’s Association in East Austin. She was a freshman Jackette at the original LC Anderson High before it closed. Sylvia was very supportive of nieces and nephews, traveling to their graduations in and out of state. She was also a very protective and loving sister and aunt. One of Sylvia’s greatest joys was her children and grandchildren, wanting nothing but the best for each of them. She supported them unconditionally by attending their sports events.

Sylvia departed this life on January 23, 2026 at home. She is preceded in death by her husband Raymond Ward; father Clarence Estes; brother Joel Curtis Cooper; and nephew Brandon Duke.

Left to cherish precious memories include a daughter, Tamika Estes of Austin, Tx; Sons, Desmond Steen of Austin, Tx and Owen Steen (Whitney) of Spring, Tx; Mother, Vergie Brown of Austin, Tx; Sisters, Sharon McGhee(Marlon) of Pflugerville, Tx, Teri Hightower( David) of Houston, Tx; Brothers, Lionel Estes of Austin, Tx and Clarence Estes Jr of Houston, Tx; Grandchildren, Di Amante Estes(CiCi) of Hutto, Tx, Zhane Estes of Austin, Tx, Laylani Rose and Zeina of Austin, Tx, Landon and Parker Steen of Spring, Tx; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. Her best friend, Sheryl Hodge. Adopted son Scott Jasper.