Wayne Estes

Wayne E. Estes, 81, of Jackson entered into eternal rest with Jesus on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, at Ratliff Care Center in Cape Girardeau.

For their kind gestures and professional care, Wayne's family extends its gratitude to the staff at Ratliff Care Center, Crown Hospice and in-home caregivers.

Wayne was born Oct. 17, 1941, in Whitewater to Claude and Arvella Rhodes Estes. He was a graduate of Delta High School. On Dec. 12, 1959, Wayne and Mary Lou Stroder were married at New Hope Church near Advance, Missouri. Their union was blessed with three children, Alan, Kim and Darren. They had been married 61 years when Mary Lou passed away Aug. 14, 2021.

Wayne never met a stranger, was a natural conversationalist and remembered life details of everyone he met. He was humorous, often assigning nicknames to many. He was empathetic, kind and sweet, even in his final days.

Wayne worked in route sales and was a tour bus driver. He raised gentle cattle at the family home north of Jackson. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Wayne and his brother, Ronnie, and friends would often gather to play cards and "talk cattle business".

Wayne was a member of Cape County Cowboy Church in Oak Ridge and Whitewater Masonic Lodge No. 417.

Loving survivors include two children, Kim (Chuck) Crowden and Darren (Gail) Estes of Jackson; five grandchildren, Dustin (Kyla) Estes of Marquand, Missouri, Ashley (Justin) Riegal of Cuba, Missouri, Courtney (Stuart) Knowlan of Burfordville, Anna Estes of St. Louis and Gabe Estes of Jackson; 11 great-grandchildren, Amya, Allie, Christian, Ava, Jax, Charlotte, Jase, Ella Mae, Gunnar, Emmett and Ruby Rae; and three siblings, Carol (the late James) Craft, Ronnie (Susan) Estes and Wanda (Ron) Devenport. Mary Lou's surviving family includes her siblings, Kenny (Connie) Stroder and Kathy (Larry) Bast; sisters-in-law, Kathie (the late Wayne) Stroder and Donna (the late Kelly) Stroder; and many nieces and nephews.

Wayne was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lou Estes; son, Alan Estes; parents, Claude and Arvella Estes; Mary Lou's parents, Hilbert and Frances B. "Beryl" Huffman Stroder; and her siblings, Wayne Stroder, Jackie (Sonny) Johnson and Kelly Stroder.

Visitation will be from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, in Chapel A at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson. Members of Whitewater Masonic Lodge No. 417 will conduct a Masonic service at 7 p.m. The family will also receive guests from 10 a.m. to service time Friday, Oct. 20, at the funeral home.

The Revs. Jim Matthews and Mike Huffman will conduct the funeral at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 20, at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

If considering a memorial, the family suggests Alzheimer's Association or Wolfner Talking Book and Braille Library.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the tribute wall tab above Wayne's obituary article at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.