Wilma Beth Candy Estrada

Birth: August 09, 1963

Born: Pineville, Louisiana

Death: November 26, 2024, peacefully in her home in Athens, Alabama

Preceded by her Father: William Oliver “Bill” Reardon

Born: Rochelle, Louisiana

Preceded by her Mother: Alma Ruth “Pat” Renfrow Russell

Born: Georgetown, Louisiana

Siblings: Jan “Cookie” Reardon Nichols and her husband Charles Nichols of Bentley, Louisiana

Lisa Karen “Muffin” Reardon Duffell and her husband Steve Duffell of Starr, South Carolina

James Ray Shamblin and wife, Tina of … Texas

Hershel Eugene Shamblin of Grant Parish, Louisiana

Nancy Lee Womack of Pineville, Louisiana

Four siblings preceding her in death are:

Kenneth Lloyd Russell - 2023

Timothy Norman Russell - 2019

Laura Ann Russell 2000

Kathleen Boudreaux 2010

Beloved Spouse: Michael Estrada. Both longtime soulmates first met (November 06, 1986) while stationed at Grissom Air Force Base, Indiana.

Current Home: Athens, Alabama

Careers: Served in the U.S. Air Force at Zweibrücken Air Base in Germany, Grissom AFB IN and Hurlburt Field FL. At her last station, she was one of the first ever female members of the 556th Red Horse Squadron, until then an all-male rapid response/deployment/contingency unit.

Favorite Activities: Christian who practiced her faith in all of life’s situations

Devoted Wife to her ‘Knight in Shining Armor’ Michael, her best friend and confidant

Matriarch of the Reardon Family, Mother to siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins, and aged parents

Loving Adoptive Pet Parent to many beloved dogs: Kaizer, Czar, Sultan, Tinkerbell, and currently her latest rescue, Porthos

Gregarious Genealogist and “Memory Keeper” of our family, connected cousins and communities with her gifts and talents. Always taking pictures and fixing them for others whenever she could

Nursed family members, whenever possible, back to health

Avid International Traveler ready with a packed suitcase for any adventure with her Husband

Loved Laughter and shared it with everyone, no matter how much she might hurt or how badly she felt.

Courtesy of her Cousin Beau – (Thank you, Beau…Michael Estrada)

“Candy Reardon Estrada grew up in the little town of Hickory Grove, LA. A rocky childhood that forever changed the trajectory of her life and ultimately forged her into the diamond we all grew to love and lean on.

She loved her family fiercely and without apology. If you ever wanted to see a laid-back person lean forward real quick all you had to do was mess with one of her people. Once. You’d only make that mistake once.

After high school she went on to attend Louisiana College. Later joining the U.S. Air Force where she met her soulmate and stalwart companion, Michael. And they lived happily ever after – decorating her life. And it was a shiny and beautiful one. Filled with family, laughter, food, and travels. If Candy was around – You knew where there was going to be a good meal and an even better joke.

A devout Christian and an avid genealogical researcher, Candy became the family historian.

She would spend countless hours, with her little dog Porthos at her side, discovering old family photos and stories. Compiling them. Weaving it all together. Weaving us together.

A timeless gift that she passed on to her kith and kin for generations to come.

About 4 years ago she was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer, but she approached it with that deep strength and tenacity engrained in her very essence.

Dying never robbed her of one single day of living.

My heart is broken that she is no longer with us, but it makes me proud to know that maybe even a small part of that strength – That deep courage, kindness, and humor is inside me, too. At least I hope so.

Rest in Peace my precious Cousin. You will forever be cherished.

PS - I know you’re in Heaven looking down wishing I had made this funny. I’ll just have to owe you one, because I couldn’t find it today.”

For those near here in Athens AL, I ask that in lieu of flowers, you may donate in her name to ‘A New Leash on Life’ Madison Life Saving Center & Thrift Boutique, 1300 Slaughter Rd, Madison AL 35758. It was one of her favorite Thrift Stores and she so loved her dogs, so…thank you.

Follow up Service in Louisiana: New Prospect Baptist Church, 111 Prospect Church Rd

Dry Prong, Louisiana 71423 on Saturday, December 07, 2024, starting at 3:30 PM.