Alma Estes

Mrs. Alma Ross Estes (96) died July 1, 2020 at Brookridge Retirement Community. Alma was born November 18, 1923 in Jefferson Davis County, New Hebron, MS the daughter of James Owen and Mamie Henderson Ross. She was next to the youngest of 8 children. She had 2 sisters and 5 brothers. By the time she was 10 she had survived the bite of a water moccasin, a near drowning and malaria disease!  She graduated from Tallulah High School in 1942 and went to work for the telephone company. In October 1944 Alma joined the United States Navy Waves. At the age of 20, she rode a train from Tallulah, LA to Hunter College in New York, NY for her basic training. She then rode a train to Hunters Point, San Francisco, CA where she was stationed for 19 months. While in the Navy, she held the rank of Yeoman 3rd class and was a member of the softball team.  When WWII ended in 1945, Alma moved to Atlanta, GA and worked for Army Audit. While having lunch at a deli with a co-worker she met her husband, Lou Estes. They were married December 24, 1947.  Lou worked for NCR for 39 years. He was transferred to Winston-Salem in the early 1950’s. Alma then went to work for the V.A. in Winston Salem.  Alma became a fulltime homemaker when her daughter and son were born. After her children went to school, she worked at the First Baptist Church in Winston-Salem. She later worked for and retired from the Winston Salem Forsyth County school system.  For many years Alma’s son played Forsyth Little League Baseball and Alma was the president of the Ladies Auxiliary. She was a self-taught, accomplished seamstress making her children’s clothes, doll clothes, drapes for entire houses and even her daughter’s wedding dress! Alma began quilting as a child and made many beautiful quilts and wall hangings. She also did needlepoint, cross stitch, crochet, knitting and many other craft projects. Her favorite craft was making pinecone Christmas ornaments from ribbon!  For many years Alma grew beautiful African violets.  Alma was a long-time member of Knollwood Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School, served on several committees and was a member of the “Sew & So’s” group. She used her crafting and sewing talents to make Chrismon ornaments and kneeling bench covers for her church.  After Lou passed in 1998, Alma enjoyed RVing with her daughter and son-in-law as well as playing many games of Shanghai Rummy with her friends! She loved playing her electronic solitaire game, working crossword puzzles and completing jigsaw puzzles. Until she had both of her knees replaced, Alma bowled up to 4 times a week and won many trophies. Her lifetime high game was 245 out of a possible 300!  One of Alma’s favorite memories was when she was 80 and her niece and nephew took her backstage at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN.  She enjoyed meeting and having her picture taken with Vince Gill, Trace Adkins and Mike Snider!  In addition to her parents, Alma was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Edgar Louie Estes, five brothers and two sisters. Surviving; one daughter and son-in-law, Lu Ann Mangum and husband Tim of Winston Salem; one son and daughter-in-law, Craig Ross Estes and wife Katie of Cherryville, NC; two granddaughters, McKenna Ann Estes Rhyne (Matt) of Lenoir, NC, Carter Grace Estes of Cherryville, NC, one brother Cleatus O. Ross of Sterlington, LA and many nieces and nephews who lovingly called her “Aunt Sis”.  The family wishes to thank all of the very special caregivers at Vienna Village where Alma lived for most of the past year. They would also like to thank the caregivers at Forsyth Memorial Hospital and Brookridge Retirement Community who cared for Alma over the last four weeks.  A private family graveside service will be held at Westlawn Gardens of Memory. Hayworth Miller Silas Creek is handling the arrangements.  Memorials may be made to Knollwood Baptist Church, 330 Knollwood Street, Winston Salem, NC 27104-4198