Estelle Morgan

Estelle Morgan, 102, passed away peacefully on May 16, 2025, Estelle was born off the OSR near Wheelock, Tx on March 14, 1923 to parents, Andrew and Annie Belle Spiller. She was proud of her Texas and southern roots while growing up on the farm beside her beloved siblings Reginald, Homer Ray, and Dorothy where they all attended the Wheelock Schools and then later Franklin High School. She relished growing up in the countryside a midst the gardens, roaming around with her horses Bonnie and Dolly and the her dog “Ring”. She also once bottle fed a runt pig on the farm back to health As a youngster she entrusted her faith when she was baptized at nearby Cedar Creek. For a brief time, after High School, she and Dorothy moved to Houston to work for the Shipyards. Estelle had a remarkable memory where she enjoyed storytelling and cherished the memories surrounding her family and her brood of cousins and friends that she grew up with around Wheelock. At age 14, in 1937 she recalled joining a group of young people from Franklin who boarded a bus in order to see Franklin D. Roosevelt in a parade at Texas A&M University. She was know as an early riser and a go-getter , as this never changed.

Estelle met the love of her life, Wayne Morgan, while riding a bus to attend a track meet in Franklin, and the rest is history. Wayne and Estelle married on June 28, 1944 in Bryan while Wayne was on furlough from the Army Air Corp and they spent their honeymoon years in Savannah, Georgia near Hunter Air Field. Estelle worked for W.T. Grants department store in Savannah. Following Wayne's military service they returned to Waco, Texas where he attended Business School and later Baylor University, and Estelle worked as a switchboard operator. As a result of Wayne's military service he was diagnosed with Tuberculosis and spent two years in the VA Hospital in Temple, Texas Estelle may have coined the phrase “keep calm and carry on” bound by her faith that is exactly what she did. Wayne recovered and their first child, Larry, was born in 1952. Upon graduation from Baylor, Wayne took a job with Texas A&M University and the family moved to Bryan/College Station where their daughter, Denise, was born in 1957. Estelle then worked for Sears and Roebuck for over 22 years, most of the time she walked to work and excelled while expressing her personality of never meeting a stranger. She won numerous sales awards while at Sears. Estelle and Wayne were members of Emmanuel Baptist Church and later First Baptist Church of Bryan. It was during these years that she involved herself with her children's activities in Sunday School, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Little League, trips to Carnegie Library and school band. She was a talented seamstress who enjoyed quilting and was also a fabulous cook who enjoyed sharing with others at large Thanksgiving gatherings for family. And at Christmas she was known for her divinity and fudge. She also had a green thumb for taking care of her yard landscaping and houseplants. In 1970 her mother Annie Belle joined the family home and she took on the role of daughter where they shared many years together cooking, shopping, quilting, sewing, doing genealogy, going to Church and attending family events. Estelle cherished her time with family in Houston (Larry and Chyrl) with trips to Kemah Boardwalk, and Pappadeaux as well as trips to the Grand Canyon and other parks. As well as annual trips to Colorado Springs with Thomas and Denise and grandsons Kyle and Zach and trips to Moab, Utah and parks around Colorado. Summers were full of vacations, grandchildren visits, and visiting National and State Parks. She had a knack for navigation and planning and could give GPS a run for their money. And always an annual visit to Garner State Park, their favorite state park. Estelle enjoyed cheering on her favorite sports teams,the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Aggies, Baylor Bears, Franklin Lions, Bryan Vikings, attending many of the games.

Estelle enjoyed neighborhood bar-b-ques, “42” parties, and game nights. She enjoyed Christian Women's luncheons, Red Hat Society, and Tuesday night friends group As a member of the Gold Medallion Club they did trips to Nashville, Branson and New York. She looked forward to the annual Wheelock Homecoming to meet up with relatives and old friends.

Wayne and Estelle celebrated 75 years of marriage before Wayne's passing in 2020. At 65 years of marriage the family took a Cruise and land tour to Alaska. They also enjoyed their years at Waldenbrook Estates where they made many new friends. Estelle is preceded in death by her siblings and parents. Left to cherish her memory are son Larry (Chyrl), daughter Denise (Thomas), grandsons Kyle (Madison) and Zach (Bryn) and special in-laws, Johnny and Becky Keith, Joyce and David Jones.

The family wishes to thank the caring service provided by the Waterford Assisted living in College Station and special caregiver, Jodi Martindale in her final years.

Estelle will be missed for her outgoing and adventurous personality, remarkable memory, sense of humor, and her welcoming and generous spirit. Donations can be made in her memory to Friends of the Wheelock School House, PO Box 26, Wheelock, Texas 77882 or Wheelock Cemetery Association, PO Box 14, Wheelock, Tx 77882.

Services will be held at Memorial Funeral Chapel in Bryan on May 21st, with visitation at 10:00 and funeral services at 11:00 and then graveside at the Wheelock Cemetery.