Anita Estes

Arta Anita Cato Estes, 90, of Cape Girardeau passed away Thursday, May 22, 2014, at the Lutheran Home.

She was born Nov. 7, 1923, in Cape Girardeau, to Arthur and Alma Cardwell Cato. She was the oldest of 10 children. She and Albert Estes were married in 1946.

Survivors include two sons, Albert "Tubby" Estes of Cape Girardeau, Robert Estes and wife Bret of Baltimore; a daughter, Martha "Pat" Estes of Philadelphia; a brother, James Cato of Fort Wayne, Indiana; a sister, Thelma "Mickey" Cato of Atlanta; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and nieces, nephews and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Albert; four brothers, John, Lee, Jack and William Cato; and three sisters, Jane Cato Banks Peyton, Helen and Lorene Cato.

Anita worked several years in food service in the public school system and a number of years at Kmart. She was a member of St. James AME Church for a number of years where she was a choir member. She later united with New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church.

She loved caring for her family, and was noted for baking yeast and cinnamon rolls.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to service time Saturday at New Bethel Church.

The funeral will be at noon Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Joseph G. Cotton Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Fairmount Cemetery.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be made at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.