Hazel Lee Estes

Hazel Lackey Estes, 88, of Statesville passed away Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017 at Gordon Hospice House in Statesville. Hazel was born on January 13, 1929 to the late John A. and Fannie Bruce Lackey. She graduated from Stony Point School in Alexander County and married Homer Arthur Estes on Sept. 28, 1946. They shared 68 wonderful years together before his passing on January 15, 2015. Hazel worked at Brenton Textiles / Jantzen Inc. most of her life, until retiring in July of 1992. Hazel and Homer were active members of Front Street Baptist Church, Statesville and faithfully served there until their health declined. Hazel has served as a VBS teacher, various children and youth teachers throughout the years. She received her greatest joy in loving and caring for hundreds of precious babies in the church nursery for over 50 years beside many faithful servants who served in this ministry. Her children learned what it meant to serve others through her example of compassion and care as she took meals to families who lost loved ones, were dealing with illness, or going through a difficult time in their lives. She enjoyed visiting families that attended worship services on the previous Sunday with a dessert, just to let them know that they were welcomed guests. Most of their family activities were centered around sharing the love of Christ through ministry to others, friends & family. Hazel was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and was adored by all as their "Nanny". She enjoyed working in the yard and garden but was the happiest when her family was together during the holidays, camping at the beach and sharing delicious meals together. Hazel was preceded in death by an infant son, Tony Arthur Estes, twin sisters, Brothers: Paul, Edward(Dugan) & Jack Lackey She is survived by a daughter, Peggy (Mickey) Sharpe, of Statesville; Sons: Tim (Kathy) Estes of Statesville and Jeff (Robin) Estes of Myrtle Beach, SC; Grandchildren: Brent (Serena) Sharpe, Matt (Kim) Sharpe, Kellie (Phil) Kerley, Tamara (Mark) Miller, Bradley Estes, Brandon Estes; Great-Grandchildren: Josh (Colleen) Sharpe, Austin Sharpe, Ashlyn & Gavin Sharpe, Kendall & Paxton Kerley; Sister: Mary Lois Kerr Lippard, Sister-in-law: Betty Lackey; Brothers-in-law: Herman Estes & Marvin (Mary) Estes. Funeral services for Hazel Lackey Estes will be held 11:00 am Saturday, December 9, 2017 at Front Street Baptist Church with Rev. Tim Stutts officiating. The family will receive friends from 10 -11 A.M. in the church sanctuary. Burial will follow at Stony Point Baptist Church. Grandsons and Great-Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gordon Hospice House, 2141 Simonton Rd., Statesville, NC 28625 or Front Street Baptist Church, Lottie Moon Mission Fund, 1403 W. Front Street, Statesville, NC 28677. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family.