Melba Nadine Estes

Melba Nadine Estes of Briggs Texas died at Hill Country Nursing Home on Tuesday January 1, 2008. She was born on May 13, 1929 in Burlington Texas. She was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. S.R. Adams of Lampasas Texas from Boys Ranch in 1940. She continued to live in Lampasas, until her Graduation from Lampasas High School. After graduation she attended Texas Woman’s University in Denton TX. and Baylor University in Waco TX. On March 29, 1949 she was united in marriage to Thomas Jack Estes of Terrell TX. Upon the passing of her birth parents in 1931 she, along with, her younger bother and sister were placed in The Texas Boys Ranch at Copperas Cove TX. . Mother remained there for 4 years before being adopted by the Adam’s at the age of 11. Her brother and sister were also adopted, but to different families. Her brother Johnny to the Juneks from Temple, Texas and her Sister Dorothy to the Simeks also from Temple. Even thought there was some distance between her and her brother and sister they managed to remain close both as children and as adults. As her children we always had a little difficulty trying to understand why everyone had different names and why Uncle Johnny’s parents or Aunt Dot’s parents weren’t our grandparents to. In addition to be being a full time wife and mother she managed a dress shop in Killeen Texas, worked as a substitute teacher, and up in until her retirement was a receptionist for Continental Cut Stone inc. in Florence Texas. She was also very active the in the Florence Chamber of Commerce and as a Volunteer and Green Thumb Staff at the Florence Library. She enjoyed several years of directing and working with the First Act Play group from Florence High School. She was preceded in death by her parents Mr. & Mrs. S.R. Adams, of Lampasas her Brother, Johnny Junek of Temple, Texas and her Husband Thomas Jack Estes of Oakalla Texas. She is survived by her sister Dorothy Oliver of Houston Texas, her children Tom Estes of Florence, Texas, Patti Heffren of Oakalla, Texas and John Scott Estes of Lueders, Texas. Her grandchildren, Teri Champlin, Adam Estes, Jerrod Sutton, David Scott Sutton, Chad Estes and Samantha Estes and great grandchildren Bailey and Paige Champlin plus numerous nieces and nephews. Melba (Nana) will be missed by all who loved her. She was a kind and loving Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother and Friend. Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. on Thursday the 3rd of January at the Lawler Baptist Church. The funeral Service will be held on Friday the 4th of January @ 2:00 P.M. also at Lawler Baptist Church, Burial will follow at the Gilliam Cemetery, Oakalla TX. . In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Florence Library, at P.O. Box 430 Florence Texas 76527.