OBITUARY

Joel Reedus Estis

May 4, 1951 – February 2, 2021

Joel Reedus Estis, 69, of Mobile, Alabama passed away peacefully on February 2, 2021 due to complications with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) at Saad Hospice Retreat Facility with family by his side. Joel was born on May 4, 1951 to Comer and Lillian Estis in Lucedale, Mississippi. He was 1 of 8 children. Joel spent most of his childhood working on the family’s dairy farm in Howell Community. He attended Agricola Elementary School and graduated from George County High School in 1969. After graduating from high school, Joel joined the United States Army Reserves. He continued to serve until he was honorably discharged on December 29, 1975.

On August 6, 1971, Joel married the love of his life, Cathy Darlene Jones of Mobile, Alabama. They welcomed 2 children and he continued in his love for dairy farming and raising his family. He was an active member of his church where he served as choir director and also worked with the youth group. He and Cathy hosted youth events on the farm. Joel loved working with young people and had a heart for ministry. Along with farming, Joel was also involved in several businesses including landscaping, lawn service, nursery, and even worked as an insurance salesman in Houston, Texas where he and his family lived for 5 years. Joel and Cathy, having always dreamed of retiring in Tennessee, moved to Nashville in 2003 where he worked in residential construction and later started his own construction company. He loved Nashville and made it their home for 16 years. He was actively involved in Grace Church Nashville. His love for music led him to singing in the choir there as well.

After receiving the devastating diagnosis of ALS, he and Cathy later decided to move to Mobile, Alabama in 2019 to be closer to family.

Joel was a faithful husband, a loving father, a wonderful grandfather, and a loyal friend. He was generous, outgoing, kind, and adventurous. Joel was a leader, a man of honor, and loved people unconditionally. He also enjoyed catching people off-guard with his silly jokes that had become very endearing to all who knew him. He loved his wife, his 2 children, his 8 grandchildren and 1 great-granddaughter, his family, his many friends, and above all he loved God with all his heart and he always put God first.

Joel always spoke of the goodness of God. He always wanted things to be peaceful in the family and for everyone to get along and be a loving family. Anyone who knew him has heard him say, “it sure is a beautiful day”!

Joel loved music and loved to sing, especially with his family. He often spoke of how music had greatly benefited him throughout his life. He loved meeting new people and finding out about their life, hearing their story, and making connections. After Joel was no longer able to work, a friend encouraged him to write. He began writing stories about meaningful experiences throughout his life and he wrote several poems as well. Joel loved horseback riding, doing stunts on horses, trail rides, gardening and landscape, hiking, and family bicycle rides.

We love him and will miss him dearly but we are so blessed to know he is in Heaven celebrating with no more suffering and no more pain, leaving a legacy on so many lives. Joel is preceded in death by his parents Comer and Lillian Estis; brother Darrell Estis; sister in law Jackie Estis, niece Judy Lovett; great-niece, Deanna Estis, grandparents Paul and Ada Coursey, father in law Paul Jones, step-father in law W.T. Hewitt, Uncles Carlos, Lionel, and Benny Coursey; aunts Gladys Brubaker and Inez Gadrosich.

Joel is survived by his loving wife of nearly 50 years, Cathy Jones Estis; daughter Kimberly Estis Hataway (Jamie), son Kevin Estis; grandchildren Dirk Hataway (Maylin), Ashlynn Hataway Eiler (Peyton), Laurel Hataway, Emily Hataway, Seth Hataway, Lillian Hataway, Alechia Estis Covarrubias (Gustavo), and Kolby Estis; great granddaughter Emely Corrales; brothers Terry Estis (Linda), Douglas Estis, Gary Estis; sisters Carol Hinton (Bobby), Janet Jordan (J.V.), Sonja Carter (Freddie); Uncle Virgil Coursey, Aunt Eulice Driskell; loving mother in law Eula Hewitt, brothers in law Paul Jones (Karen) Tony Jones (Patty), Larry Jones and many loving nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

The Estis Family has chosen to have a private family service to honor Joel. If anyone would like to join though the Pine Crest Funeral Home and Cemeteries Facebook page.

The service will be live-streamed on Monday, February 8, at 2:30pm for anyone wishing to join the service

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Joel Reedus Estis

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Krystle Green

February 9, 2021

Cathy, I send you and the family my deepest sympathy! It was my greatest pleasure to stand beside Joel in choir, and I love that after learning my name, he immediately started calling me “Jewel.” It was so hysterical and became my name only for him. Lol! He was an amazing man! I won’t forget the time I got to spend with you two before you moved, and I’m glad he and I stayed in touch. I enjoyed reading the stories he wrote about the memories that meant so much to him. May you all feel the Savior’s arms wrap around you and draw you closer!

Linda Coursey Gutermuth

February 9, 2021

Cathy, the Estis and Coursey family's and the world are so blessed to have you and Joel in our lives! We will miss Joel, this precious man of God and we know he is rejoicing in heaven with his Lord and savior! We know we will join him in heaven one day. Thank you and Joel for all you've done for the Kingdom of God! From our family to yours, may our love and prayers surround you and God wrap His loving arms around you and give you His peace ♥️🙏

Lorey and Heather Futch

February 8, 2021

I think our favorite memory with you two was the Sunday that Joel drove us all over the outer Nashville area where we ended up eating ice cream at the original Pucketts.

The funniest time we shared together(in my opinion) was when we all, including other friends from Grace Church, went to eat lunch at Cracker Barrel.  We were all looking at the menu and I talked Joel into asking for the "Vegan" Pot Roast... which doesn't exist.  We did a great job holding in the laughter while the waitress was starting to show a confused look on her face.  Of course we completely lost it when Cathy, who wasn't in on the joke said "Ohhh, that sounds good!!!"

And, Heather's favorite memory is the time that you and Joel came to visit us in our home in Smyrna.  We went out to eat and then went to a local creamery for dessert.  Y`all bought us the kiddie cups and fulfilled Heather's lifelong desire to go "cow tippin`", which happened to be the name of one of the featured flavors that day.

We love y'all and rejoice with you in Joel's Homecoming,

Lorey and Heather

Mel and Kimala Bond

February 8, 2021

Cathy,
My mother, Edna Davis, Kimala and I send you our deepest sympathies and wishes for God's peace. We celebrate Joel's life with you and share many happy memories! May the Comforter continue to fill you every day as you walk step by step in the coming days.
Love, Mel and Kimala Bond and Edna Davis

Duane Samford

February 8, 2021

Cathy, Elaine and I watched the beautiful memorial service for Joel. It would make Joel proud. Please know we will continue to pray for you and your family and ask for peace and comfort in the coming days.

Joel was such an awesome friend and was a mentor to me and always enjoyed the time we were with you guys. He was a special Man to many and will be sorely missed.

Debra and danny Herring

February 8, 2021

We had the pleasure of Joel and Cathy joining us for a trip to Utah and got to know them better. We had a fun time on snow mobiles and in the snow . Joel loved the Lord and loved to share the good news of Jesus. We know his sweet wife Cathy will miss him and we are praying for her and his family. We know he is in heaven singing to sweet Jesus.

Peggy Williams

February 8, 2021

We loved the hospitality of Joel and Cathy and the sweet atmosphere in their home. Joel always had a testimony and a song to share of the faithfulness of God through the years.

Bo Rush

February 7, 2021

A great many memories of Joel as I grew up less than probably a half mile from him. I am closer to age of his brother Douglas but shared some time with him . He seemed to always have a nice car and was never reluctant to let us pile in and go places with him. Just wanted to let his family know that I appreciate the person he was, Bo Rush

Leah Crutchfield

February 7, 2021

Mrs. Cathy,

I have many fond memories of Mr. Joel. I am so grateful to have known him and to have watched how he lived his life fully with so much joy. He was such a fun person to be around. I was so thankful to have had him to help us through my love for horses, our teenage years, and then seeing you all as you lived in Nashville. I don’t know how many nights we fell asleep on your couch at the farm while you all laughed and told stories. He loved youth and loved to serve. Those nights at your barn made a big impact on me. We hope to do something similar one day. You both are an inspiration.
Praying for you Mrs. Cathy. We love you. -Leah

Dianna Sissy Hudson

February 7, 2021

Cathy I am so sorry, prayers for you and your family.
Sissy

FROM THE FAMILY