Estelline Brawley Williams passed away on February 26, 2021. She lived to the age of 95 1/2, longer than anyone else in our family. Estelline was born in Ardmore, Oklahoma on August 22, 1925 to her parents, R. Bueland Brawley and Ernest Logue Brawley. She was the oldest of six children. In 1928, her family moved to Hatch, New Mexico where she spent her childhood on the family farm. During WWII Estelline told stories of how the high school released all students from class in order to pick and weigh cotton because so many men were away serving our country. She told us that she helped her Daddy weigh the cotton once it had been picked. Estelline graduated from Hatch Valley High School in 1945. She moved to Pampa, Texas in 1953, and spent most of her life living in the family home on Kingsmill Avenue.
Estelline began learning to cook when she was 5 years old and was known for her extraordinary cooking skills. She made the best homemade bread and cinnamon rolls imaginable. Her family was her life, especially her grandchildren. She was a lover of the family animals as well and assisted in their care. She enjoyed gardening when she was younger, and her yard was always full of beautiful roses along with various small plants. She was an excellent seamstress and taught her daughter how to sew at a young age. She was very independent and knew how to repair almost anything around the house. She was interested in her family’s history, as well as her husband’s, and assisted her daughter in researching genealogy facts obtained from her mother and other old-timers in their family. She had a very interesting photo collection of her ancestors and enjoyed sharing it with family guests. She looked forward to reading the newspaper every day and was always abreast of current and historical events. She was observant of everything in her presence and had an extraordinary memory up until the last few months of her life.
Estelline was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Pampa. She always said “if you know how to live, you will know how to die”.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Goebel Cloyd Williams; son, James Alexander Steel Jr; sister, Betty Katheryn Brawley; and brothers, Gerald Howard Brawley and Harry Neil Brawley.
Estelline spent her last year at Tribute Senior Living in Prosper, Texas where she was loved by all who cared for her. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
Estelline is survived by her daughter: Sallie A. Stephens and Son-in-law, W.R. Stephens, Jr. of Celina, Tx; Granddaughters, Rachel A. Pecoraro of McKinney, Tx and Ashley R. Hoffmann, husband Kent C. Hoffmann, as well as great grandson Clayton of Propser, Tx. Additionally, she is survived by her brother, Everett Clifton Brawley, of Hatch, New Mexico as well as several nieces and nephews who she dearly loved.
A Celebration of Estelline’s life will be held at her graveside in Hatch, New Mexico. The date of the service is pending due to logistical issues.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.stonebriarfh.com for the WILLIAMS family.
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