Mary Lou Estes

Mary Lou Estes, 78, of Jackson entered into eternal rest with Jesus Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Oct. 14, 1942, in Cape Girardeau County to Hilbert and Francis B. "Beryl" Huffman Stroder. She accepted Jesus Christ as her savior at a young age and was a long-time member of Cape County Cowboy Church. Mary Lou and Wayne Estes were married Dec. 12, 1959, near Advance, Missouri.

Mary Lou was a 1960 graduate of Jackson High School.

She and Wayne raised their three children, Alan, Kim and Darren, in Jackson. For many years, Mary Lou provided childcare from her home. After her children were in school, she enjoyed working at Kid's Stuff and Jackson Exchange Bank, and retired from People's Bank in Jackson. Mary Lou never met a stranger and was known for her smile, upbeat attitude and outgoing personality which made her a perfect fit for working with the public. Mary Lou was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She enjoyed homemaking and loved to make delicious home-cooked meals for her family.

Loving survivors include her husband of 61 years, Wayne Estes of Jackson; two children, Kim (Chuck) Crowden and Darren (Gail) Estes of Jackson; five grandchildren, Dustin (Kyla) Estes of Marquand, Missouri; Ashley (Justin) Riegal of New Haven, Missouri; Courtney (Stuart) Knowlan of Burfordville; and Anna Estes and Gabe Estes, both of Jackson; 10 great-grandchildren, Amya, Allie, Christian, Ava, Jax, Charlotte, Jase, Ella Mae, Gunnar and Emmett; three siblings, Kelly (Donna) Stroder, Kenny (Connie) Stroder and Kathy (Larry) Bast; three sisters-in-law, Kathie (the late Wayne) Stroder, Carol (the late James) Craft and Wanda (Ron) Devenport; a brother-in-law, Ron (Susan) Estes; and countless nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a son, Alan Estes; her parents, Hilbert and Beryl Stroder; two siblings, Wayne Stroder and Jackie (Sonny) Johnson; and her father- and mother-in-law, Claude and Arvella Estes.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Wednesday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jim Matthews officiating. Burial will follow at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to the American Heart Association or a charity of the donor's choice.