Estelle Jeter Bourne

With a soft sigh and a smile on her face, Annie Estelle Jeter Bourne left this earthly life on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at the age of 101. A smile for a life filled with love and happiness and a sigh looking forward to the peace and serenity of her heavenly home.

Estelle was preceded in death by her parents, Thelma Harding Jeter and Lucius Herbert Jeter; her husband of 47 years, Thomas J. “Jack” Bourne, Jr; and two brothers, Herbert Willard Jeter and Nathaniel Harvey Jeter. She is survived by her three children, Michael Edward Bourne of Moneta, VA, Sharon Bourne Johnson (Joe) of Lake Wales, FL, and Gaye Bourne Blevins (David) of Roanoke VA. Four grandchildren, David Thomas “Chip” Blevins, Andrew Joseph Bourne, Lauryn Blevins Ihle, and Eric Jordan Bourne; five great grandchildren, Sarah, Estella, Reese, Cooper, and Lua; nieces and nephew, Joan Zava, Eddie Jeter, and Jean Kunath all of Lunenburg County. She also leaves behind many loving great nieces and nephews.

Estelle was born and raised on a tobacco farm in Lunenburg County, Virginia. A simple life in simpler times. A child of the Great Depression, she learned the value of hard work and dreams early in life. She was motivated to experience life and enrolled in the Johnston Willis School of Nursing in 1940. After graduating in 1943, she began a nursing career that spanned 49 years. She was a charter member of the Johnston Willis School of Nursing Alumni Associating, serving as member of the Board for 50 years and served as president for 15 years. In 1963, Estelle became a charter member of the newly formed, Bon Air Christian Church. She attended regularly for over 59 years.

To say her life full of adventure and excitement is an understatement. She worked at Johnston Willis hospital, where during WW II she nursed Admiral “Bull” Halsey while The Battle of Midway raged in the Pacific; nursed polio in Hickory, NC, South Bend, IN and Roanoke, VA; and on a whim, took a late 1950s flight to Cuba just prior to the Castro takeover; she spent many years in private duty nursing where she met her husband, Jack.

She and Jack traveled extensively. From taking their boat to Florida for months at a time to spending winters in their Motor Coach in Arizona to ferry rides in Nova Scotia, they saw a great deal of this wonderful land. At age 88 she asked her children for “one more last trip to Florida.” At 98 she took her “11th” one more last trip to Florida.”

Her family regarded her as a living history book. Her stories of growing up would fascinate all who listened. Efforts to get her to record these stories were only moderately successful. But those that survive are priceless treasures for the family. Estelle was known by many names by many people: Mom, Estelle, Tell, Jeter, and Nanny. She was loved by and cared for by many. Her quick wit, sharp mind and smile will be missed by all. As she often said, “Live life and have fun, cause when your dead you’re done!”

The family will receive friends from 10:30 - 11:30am on Monday, May 1, at Bon Air Christian Church, 2071 Buford Rd. N. Chesterfield, VA, 23235. A funeral service will begin at 11:30am at the church. Interment will be held at 3:30pm at Cool Springs Christian Church Cemetery, 2852 Ontario Rd. Keysville, VA 23947.