Sally P Estes

Born during the Great Depression—on December 13, 1937 in Jacksonville, Florida to Vergil and Betty Perry—Sally did not let the Depression define her. She loved being the knowledgeable older sister to brother Scott and sister Mary Ellen. Even as a child, Sally was a natural leader who often set an upbeat tone for the entire family. She organized “family fun nights” in the 1950s, writing the scripts for several memorable performances of Sherlock Holmes plays that were produced at home by the children.

Sally excelled in school when the family moved to Washington, D.C., and she graduated from Bethesda Chevy Chase High School in 1956. During high school years she was active in Firesides, the youth fellowship group at Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church, where she met her future husband, Tom Estes. She attended Davis and Elkins College in West Virginia, married Tom in August 1957, and they moved to Pittsburgh where Tom attended seminary.

The couple created a fun-loving, boisterous family of five children and managed to make space for plenty of extras, either for meals or even extended stays over the years. Family vacations at Neptune Beach, Florida, were a highlight of early years. While everyone loved the beach time, the travel by packed family station wagon and sometimes the Autotrain was often as much a highlight of the experience as the rest.

In 1962 the family moved to Livonia, Michigan, where Tom served St. Paul’s Presbyterian and Sally hosted the best birthday parties in the neighborhood. They were involved in a racial reconciliation ministry that temporarily brought black children from inner city Detroit out to experience suburban life.

Tom was called to Fox Valley Presbyterian in Geneva, Illinois, in 1969, and Sally connected there with high school students in the youth programs at church and in her work life at the high school dean’s office. She volunteered at a juvenile detention center, developing a greenhouse project where she helped the incarcerated youth learn gardening skills. She also started an outreach ministry at the Elgin Mental Hospital with friends at church, where they hosted monthly parties for patients.

Sally made mealtimes a sacred space; there was always room for guests at her table. She loved to feed people and had spent a long time teaching herself French cooking skills by studying Julia Child’s cookbooks and watching her cooking shows on PBS.

In 1990 Sally and Tom moved to College Station, Texas, and A & M Presbyterian Church. Sally worked there at United Campus Ministry with her beloved Aggies. Sally and Tom hosted many UCM students in their home through the years and developed lasting relationships. She also loved her work in the thesis office of the Graduate Studies program at Texas A & M, helping many students refine and submit their theses.

Sally and Tom began their active retirement in Austin in 2000. They spent many happy years volunteering together at Sanchez Elementary School in reading programs. At Central Presbyterian Church Sally led the morning Circle for women and became an organizing force for many receptions and activities, potluck dinners, and retreats at Mo Ranch Presbyterian Center. She also helped coordinate the local Mended Hearts chapter for Austin Heart Hospital. Sally’s passion for social justice work included LGBTQIA+ support, reproductive rights, hunger and housing issues, and the movement to end capital punishment.

Sally is survived by her husband Tom, sister Ellen, sister-in-law Lynn, and children Scott (Tricia), Tim (Barb), Katie, Sarah (Michael), and Kevin (Paula). Additionally, she is survived by two nieces and a nephew, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, her brother, and her beloved grandson Perry.

Memorials preferred to Central Presbyterian Church in Austin.

A Memorial Service is scheduled for 2:00 pm Saturday January 27, 2024 at Central Presbyterian Church, 200 E. 8th St, Austin 78701.