Mrs. Billie Constance Sanders Tucker-Kestler

Billie Tucker Kestler died peacefully Saturday, February 27, 2010, after a short illness. She was born in 1921 in Lake Charles, Louisiana. She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Payson Eliot Tucker, a World War II B-17 bomber pilot, parents, David and Estella Sanders, and her sisters, Marjorie Cox Miller, Jane Bogel, and Davette Norris. She is survived by her husband, William J. Kestler, son, Eliot P. Tucker, and his wife, Dianne, son, Philip D. Tucker, and granddaughter, Ann D. Tucker, and her husband, Jack Sanders, grandson, Payson E. Tucker and step-granddaughter, Guenevere Schwien.

She grew up in Port Arthur, Texas, and attended Port Arthur public schools where she graduated as valedictorian of her January, 1940 class. She received her B.A. with Highest Honors from North Texas State Teachers’ College. She and her husband, Payson, and their sons lived many different places in the states and in Germany during his U.S. Air Force career.

She and Jack Kestler were married in 1994 at Cokesbury United Methodist Church where she served as president of the United Methodist Women and remained active until her death.

She taught school in Port Arthur, Eagle Pass, Wichita Falls and Houston, Texas. She served as the Houston Teachers’ Association representative many years for John R. Harris Elementary School. She was initiated into the Delta Kappa Gamma Society and enjoyed her service as a member of the Zeta Omega chapter in Houston. The friends she made in the chapter were a joy to her. She was active with Alzheimer’s Support Groups and served as a volunteer at Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital for 16 years. She helped organize the AARP Chapter # 4341 in 1988 and served as vice president and publicity chairman. She received a special citation from AARP in appreciation for her outstanding service to the community.

Pall bearers are her grandson, Payson E. Tucker, and nephews, John Norris, Rick Tucker, Randy Tucker, Stuart Tucker, Stanley Tucker and Jay Tucker and Jack Sanders and Drew Reid. Honorary Pall Bearers are Mariellen Tucker and Elizabeth Reid.

There will be a visitation at Forest Park East Funeral Home, 21620 Gulf Freeway, Tuesday, March 2 from 5-7 P.M. Services will be held at Cokesbury United Methodist Church Wednesday, March 3 at 10:30 A.M. followed by the Committal at Forest Park East Cemetery.

For those wishing to do so, donations may be made to Cokesbury United Methodist Church, 10030 Scarsdale Blvd., Houston, Texas 77089, or the Alzheimer’s Association 2242 W. Holcombe Blvd., Houston, Texas 77030, or to the charity of your choice.