Silas Bailey Estes' Obituary
LUBBOCK / CLARENDON
SERVICES- 1:30 p.m. Saturday, October 9, 2010 in the First Baptist Church in Clarendon with James Dickson, nephew, officiating.
INTERMENT- Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.
Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Visitation will be held on Friday from 5:00-7:00 pm at the Funeral Home.
Silas Bailey Estes of Clarendon was born in Brice, Texas on February 12, 1922 the youngest of five children to James Bailey and Margaret Leila (Cross) Estes. He passed into the arms of his Heavenly Father on October 5, 2010 at the age of 88.
Bailey graduated from Lakeview High School in 1941. He served in the U.S. Army from l944-1946 of which he served nine months in the European Theater of Operations during WWII.
Bailey married Mary Prudhomme in 1944. Bailey and Mary had one daughter, Toza Estes Nelson. Mary passed away January 7, 1951. Bailey then married Louvetta Cowan May 8, 1952 in Clarendon and they had two children, Stephen Bailey and Melissa Estes Butts. They lived in Clarendon until 2007 when they moved to Lubbock but never considered any place ‘home’ except Clarendon.
Bailey was a Certified State Bridge Welder for Texas and was called to bridge construction all over the state. He owned and operated Estes Welding Shop, Estes Storage units, various rental properties and also constructed metal buildings. He stayed active and working in the community until he had a stroke at the age of 84.
A wonderful father, husband, grandfather, uncle, and friend, Bailey loved the Lord, his family, and his friends. He was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Clarendon. Fishing (especially deep sea fishing), hunting, drinking coffee with his buddies, singing and playing the guitar (or keyboard by ‘ear’) were his favorite pastimes. Bailey had a loving and generous heart of gold that quietly touched many who needed help whether it was it a friend, family, or a stranded or hungry stranger passing through town.
Bailey Estes was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary Prudhomme Estes; brother, James Bailey Estes; sisters, Gladys Baten, Ila Mae “Jimmie” Dickson, and Juanita Dillon; two nephews, one niece and numerous in-laws.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Louvetta; a son, Stephen Bailey of Clarendon; 2 daughters, Toza Nelson and husband Don of Lubbock and Melissa Butts and husband John of San Antonio; grandchildren, Bryan Jones and wife Jamie, Lafonda Miller and husband Jeremy, Stephanie Estes, Eric Butts and Kyle Butts; a step grandson, Jerod Moore; 6 great-grandchildren, Bradley Jones, Tabatha Jones, Chase Jones, Cassius Miller, Angeline Chavez, Evan Bailey Estes; step great-grandchildren and a host of extended relatives and friends.
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