Wanda Lee Estes, “Momma” to a couple, “Grammy” to a few and a friend to many, walked into the arms of Jesus at the age of 86 on Nov. 30, 2022.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday Dec. 10, 2022 at the Dodson Cemetery in Dodson. The family will receive friends from 5– 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022 at Cox-Rowley Funeral Home in Amarillo.
Wanda was born on March 10, 1936 in Soper, OK to Bill and Bernice Lemons. Her parents later moved the family to Dodson, where Wanda graduated high school in 1955.
She also celebrated her birthday that same year by marrying Ramon (Manche) Estes on March 5, 1955 in Wellington. They were married for nearly 60 years at the time of his death in 2014.
In 1968, Wanda and Ramon moved to Perryton, where she worked for the Amarillo State Center for Human Development as the first Director of the Perryton Satellite Center. There she created programs that assisted local clients of all ages having mental and physical disabilities.
Wanda assisted with the development and growth of the Satellite Arts and Crafts Festival, a major local fundraising event held each year to benefit the Perryton Satellite Center.
Wanda was a talented artist herself, mainly sharing her talents through oil paintings and impromptu art lessons with her grandboys around the kitchen table.
She was a member of Trinity Baptist Church in Amarillo. She enjoyed many hobbies such as sewing, floral design and arts and crafts. Over the years, Wanda participated in various bowling leagues, teaching the game to her grandsons along the way.
Those who knew her would mention her infectious joy and her uncanny ability to find something to laugh at. Wanda was loved by so many and will be greatly missed.
Wanda was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ramon Estes; brothers, Chester Lemons and Odell Lemons; and infant son, Martin Dee Estes.
Survivors include her son, Brad Estes (Connie) of Amarillo; daughter, Rama Boaz (Stephen) of Schertz; three grandchildren, David Boaz (Birdy), Kyler Estes (Whitney) and Tanner Estes (Samantha); three great-grandchildren, Kasen Estes, Caroline Estes, and Madeleine Estes. Also surviving Wanda are her brothers, Gary Lemons (Betsy), Walter Lemons (Judy) and sister, Mozell Matlock.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to the Dodson Cemetery Association, 17160 FM 1642, Wellington, TX 79095.
The Family would like to give a very special thank you to BSA Hospice of the Southwest and the caregivers at The Craig, Windflower Memory Care for their wonderful and loving care of our Mom and Grammy, Wanda Estes.