Nora W. Estes

Nora Ward Estes, 89, of Ruckersville passed away Saturday, June 14, 2014.
Nora was born March 19, 1925 in Free Union, Virginia. She was a daughter of the late Lewis A and Annie Haney Ward. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Lee Smith Estes, three sisters, Myrtle V Ward, Luna Dodson, Nolly Via, and three brothers Rhodes W Ward, Sr., Marshal L Ward and Mason H Ward.

Mrs. Estes owned and operated her own beauty salon for over 50 years. She was a devoted homemaker and loved cooking, baking and preserving foods from their family garden. She also loved to teach others how to can, freeze, make jellies, preserves, pickles, juices and sauces.

Nora often said if she had any talent, it was in her hands. She loved to do hand word and was very talented as a seamstress, quilter, crochet, needlepoint and knitting. Nora demonstrated and taught many others these skills. This first was done via the Home Demonstrators Club and then part of The Stitchers, a home craft group. If anyone was having difficulty with a project, Nora was the one sought out for help.
Nora loved Spring Hill Baptist Church where she became a member after marrying Lee. Nora and Lee were active members of the church. Her husband’s family played an important part in the early days of Spring Hill and Lee’s family were founding members.
Nora taught Sunday school for over 25 years. To this day her students remember her, the lessons she taught them and how she encouraged them to learn the books of the bible.
Mrs. Estes is survived by one niece Bonnie Fitzgerald of Charlottesville Virginia and a nephew Rhodes Ward Jr. and his wife Linda, a godchild Rebecca Waters and her husband Michael of Lexington park MD, 3 great nephews Jeffery Ward and Chris Ward of North Carolina and Todd Ward and his wife Stephanie of Crozet, Virginia. There are also many other great great nieces and nephews in Maryland and North Carolina.
She wishes to thank her good neighbors for their wonderful care. They are her children she never had and a wonderful little boy named Caleb Deane, who she loved dearly.
The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 P.M. Tuesday, June 17, 2014 at Spring Hill Baptist Church, 2620 Frays Mill Road, Ruckersville.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at Spring Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. Brandon Ives, Rev. Dan Carlton and Rev. Leroy Davis officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made in Nora's memory to Spring Hill Baptist Church, 2620 Frays Mill Road, Ruckersville, VA 22968.
An online guestbook is available at www.ryanfuneral.com
Ryan Funeral Home of Ruckersville is in charge of arrangements.