Lynn Edward Estes, Sr.

A memorial celebration of the life of Lynn Edward Estes, Sr. will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 06, 2015 at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral home in Natchitoches. A visitation will be held at the funeral home on Friday, June 05, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Interment will follow the funeral services at Ramah Cemetery in Ashland, Louisiana. Lynn Edward Estes, Sr. passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, June 03, 2015 surrounded by his family, reading scriptures and singing hymns. Lynn was born July 7, 1930 in a little town called Forty-Four, Arkansas. Growing up in a small community, he was raised on a farm by his parents, Albert Ray Estes and Ida Mary Frances Heasley Estes, as the second to youngest of seven children and spent his early years attending a one-room school at Flat Rock, Arkansas. Later he graduated from Calico Rock High School in Calico Rock, Arkansas, and like two of his brothers he graduated from Pharmacy School at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock, Arkansas. He served in the United States Army from 1953 until 1955 which included a tour of duty in Korea. In search of more job opportunities he moved to Natchitoches, Louisiana, where he met the love of his life, Betty Bumgardner Estes, who he married on December 26, 1959. Lynn worked as a pharmacist at the P & C Drugstore in Natchitoches for 28 years, but having many other talents and interests, he found a second career as a locksmith, and owned A & A Locksmith also in Natchitoches for 25 years. Lynn was a member of Grace New Testament Baptist Church in Natchitoches. He was a long time member of a singing quartet and enjoyed playing the fiddle and guitar, studying the bible, and playing dominoes. Never one to sit still, he enjoyed camping, wood working, raising quail and beekeeping. He was an avid hunter, photographer, plant grafter and became such a passionate gardener that for many years was able to raise most everything that he ate. He rarely took on easy projects and preferred accepting a challenge. Oftentimes he was called a “Jack of all trades,” and was not beyond inventing tools that he needed. Lynn is survived by his wife, Betty, of 55 years; three wonderful children, Rebecca Ann Pullig and husband, Sam, of Ashland, Carla Sue Malone and husband, Scott, of Melissa, Texas, and son, Lynn Edward Estes, Jr. of Shreveport; four grand children, Joseph and wife Micah, Rachel and husband Jake, Zach and Anna; four great grand children, Julia, Georgia, Owen and Bronsen; one sister, Lucy Wilson and her husband Donald of Witchita, Kansas; and sisters in law Lorene Estes of Avery Texas, Clurcy Estes of Shreveport, and Billie Estes of Batesville, Arkansas. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Coy, Charlie, Harlin, Loyd and wife Jean and A.R. and his wife Glenda. The family would like to thank the members of Synergy Home Health, Hospice of Natchitoches, and Monique, Stephanie, and Starla for their loving care during his last days, many of whom would stop by and play the piano, guitar, and sing for him. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of Lynn Estes, Sr., to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 3100 Samford Ave. Shreveport, LA 71103.