Virginia Lea Estes

Jennie Estes, 87, passed away in Fort Walton Beach, Florida on October 11, 2021.

Jennie was born January 3, 1934, to Robert N. Corbin and Bessie Childs Corbin in Bloomfield, Missouri. In 1941 she and her family moved to Hyattsville, Maryland.

Jennie was a Music Major at the University of Maryland and a member of the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. She was second runner-up in the Ms. Washington D.C. Beauty Pageant, performing a song from the opera Madam Butterfly.

In 1952, Jennie met Fred (Frederic D. Estes), married on December 26, 1954, at the First Baptist Church in Washington D.C. Thus began Jennie’s career as a Military Officers Wife, which included 20 moves in a 24-year span. Bases stationed included: Tyndall AFB, Florida; Lockbourne AFB, Ohio; Athens, Greece; Evreux-Fauville AFB, France; Naha AFB, Okinawa, Japan; RAF Mildenhall, England; and Minneapolis, Minnesota.

In 1978, Fred retired from USAF moving the family residence to Shalimar, Florida. Jennie joined Shalimar United Methodist Church that same year, singing in the Church Choir for 37 years. She also played Hand Bells for 34 years in the group calling themselves the Ding-A-Lings. She was a very talented crafter and one of the original organizers of the SUMC Holly Fair.

Jennie is preceded in death by her husband, Fred, Frank Stephens (Son-in-law), and grandson Nick Thomas. She is survived by her brother Robert Corbin (wife Donna), son Richard Estes (wife Sheila), and her daughter Susan Stephens. Two grandsons Matt Estes (wife Ayla) and Kent Stephens. Great-grandchildren Tyler, Gunner, Gracie, Glory, and Ginny.

The family would like to thank the Nurses and Staff at Belvedere Commons and Covington Hospice for the gentle and loving care they showed our Mother Jennie.

A Memorial Service will be held to celebrate Jennie’s/ Granny’s life on Monday, October 25, 2021 at 10:00 A.M. at Shalimar United Methodist Church. Burial will be private. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to Shalimar United Methodist Church, 1 Old Ferry Road, PO Box 795, Shalimar, Florida 32579. 

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