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, located in Dodson, Texas. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, 2022, at Cox-Rowley Funeral Home, located in Amarillo, Texas.
Wanda was born on March 10, 1936, in Soper, Okla. 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, Texas. They were married for nearly 60 years at the time of his death in 2014.
In 1968, Wanda and Ramon moved to Perryton, Texas, 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 also 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 that 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 an infant son, Martin Dee Estes.
Survivors include her son, Brad Estes (Connie), of Amarillo; daughter Rama Boaz (Stephen), of Schertz, Texas; three grandchildren, David Boaz (Birdy), Kyler Estes (Whitney) and Tanner Estes (Samantha); and three great-grandchildren, Kasen Estes, Caroline Estes and Madeleine Estes. Also surviving Wanda are her brothers, Gary Lemons (Betsy) and Walter Lemons ( Judy) and a 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 Senior Living, Windflower Nursing Memory Care for their wonderful and loving care of our Mom and Grammy, Wanda Estes.
