Gerald "Jerri" Samantha Estenson

On Sunday evening, September 27, 2020, Jerri, a long-time resident of Virginia Beach, died at Sentara Princess Anne Hospital in Virginia Beach, Virginia. After a brief hospitalization, she passed surrounded by her husband Randy Milo Estenson, and her son, Randy Milo Estenson, II.

She was born August 1, 1943 in Suffolk, Virginia to Emma Virginia Wiggins and Carl O’Brian Blackman. She grew up largely in Norfolk, Virginia with Emma and husband Capt. Robert Leland Baxter Sr. and attended Broad Creek Elementary and Norview High Schools. Jerri has lived around brothers most of her life including Robert, William and David Baxter, but never forgot a brother who died when very young, John Thomas Wiggins. As a young woman, she worked in a variety of jobs in the hospitality industry. She was proud of her native American heritage.

On January 29, 1977 she married a handsome young sailor, CWO Randy Estenson native of Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the base Chapel in Norfolk Naval Operating Base in Norfolk, Virginia. They raised a dispersed family together which at times including son Randy “Junior,” his sisters, Ann Delyn Buck and Terri Lynn Powell, another son Christopher Rogers, plus two of Ann Delyn’s children, Roy “Milo” and Raymond Taylor.

While Randy served aboard various U.S. Navy vessels with extended deployments in Africa and Guantanamo, Cuba, Jerri took care of raising children and caring for pets. When Randy retired from the Navy, Jerri and Randy started and ran two successful businesses in Tidewater Virginia. Most recently they co-owned and managed Poppa’s Pub of Virginia Beach. The couple of 43 years loved animals and had many pets that were treated like family. In addition, Jerri and Randy cared for and assisted her parents as they aged.

Jerri and Randy travelled extensively in the states and occasionally in Mexico but made their home largely in Tidewater. They especially enjoyed travelling in their RV with their pets, often travelling with Randy’s sisters to Cancun and Las Vegas. Jerri enthusiastically collected Elvis memorabilia from all their travels. Jerry often enjoyed camping with Randy and Randy Junior. Sometimes they travelled with Raymond and Milo Taylor and their wives. They participated in various Masonic activities after Randy joined the organization and succeeded in moving through its ranks.

Jerri especially loved when Poppa’s sponsored events to raise money for families in need by sponsoring motorcycle rallies. They frequently came to the aide of family, friends and patrons. They were a very generous couple and they funded and supported social events like cruises for friends and patrons.

Jerri was preceded in death by her brother John Thomas Wiggins, her mother, Emma Baxter, her father Carl O’Brian Blackman, her stepfather Robert Baxter Sr., her son Christopher Rogers and several aunts, uncles and cousins. She is survived by her husband Randy, her brothers (and their wives) Dr. Robert Baxter, Jr. (Glenda), William Ferebee Baxter (Sharon), and David Mark Baxter (Robin); her son Randy Milo Estenson II, her daughters Ann Delyn Buck (Tim) and Terri Lynn Powell Dillard (Barry); her grandchildren, Brandy Taylor, Roy “Milo” Taylor (Julie), Raymond Taylor (Elvira), Rachel Estenson, Kandice Estenson, Heather Estenson, Randy Estenson III, Ryan Estenson, Jesse Dillard, Brittany Dillard, Reno Rogers, Slade Rogers; and her three great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Arrangements are being handled by Woodlawn Funeral Home, 6329 E. Virginia Beach Blvd., Norfolk, VA 23502. The visitation will be held Friday, October 9th from 5-7 p.m. and a service will be held in the Chapel of the Woodlawn Funeral Home at 2 p.m. October 10th. Flowers can be sent to the funeral home. The funeral service will also be viewable via livestream on the Woodlawn Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens Facebook Page.