Josephine J Estep, age 94, of New Tazewell, Tennessee passed away peacefully December 1, 2022. She was born September 1928 in Pike County Kentucky to Myrtie Anderson Justice and Lawrence Justice who both preceded her death. She married the love of her life, Ronald Estep on Valentine's Day and went on to spend 61 wonderful years together until he passed away in 2016.
Josephine was one of the strongest women you could meet. And if you said she couldn't do it, she would make sure to prove you wrong. The stories we could tell! She was a hard worker and up until the week before her diagnosis she could be found working in the yard pulling weeds, raking leaves or staking up trees etc.
She was strong in her faith, as well as her opinions. Josephine was known for not holding back her opinion and for having a knack for telling it like it was. She always told you the truth even if it wasn't what you wanted to hear. So, we learned early 'don't ask her if you can't handle the answer'.
Josephine began her lengthy teaching career at a very young age and taught elementary school in Pike County Kentucky for 42 years. Chances are very good that any person you were to ask in Pike County is the parent of someone who was a student of hers or that they know someone who was the parent of one or more of her students. But whether those you ask are former students, parents of former students, or the children and/or grandchildren of those students, it's a near 100% good bet that they all feel the same way about Mrs. Estep.
What put Mrs. Josephine Estep head and shoulders above the rest was not anything she learned while she earned her teaching credentials. What put her in a league of her own was an unmatched level of kindness, a truly loving spirit, and the heart that longed to teach. This lady could instill a measure of confidence in those who had absolutely no confidence. This teaching angel could calm a rowdy classroom or a struggling student with unscripted encouragement from a very natural ability that was rarely seen in others. She was capable of moving a person's perception of themselves further along a positive path in just one school year, than most can do for someone else's self-confidence in a decade. This was not a skill she was trained in. This was indeed just an artful display of her genetically coded talent, rooted in a heart that loved teaching and wanted her students to excel. They all saw something very special in her because she made everyone feel like she saw something very special in each of them.
Mrs. Josephine Estep touched hearts in very special ways that can never, ever accurately be explained with mere words. When Josephine retired from teaching the school system lost a true treasure.
Josephine enjoyed a pastime of quilting. If you know anything about quilting, you already know how incredibly labor-intensive making a quilt can be. Some of Josephine's quilts took weeks or even months to complete. And in her lifetime, she made dozens of quilts. But more than just a hobby, this pastime became a way for Josephine to show love to her family and friends and to acknowledge important events. It was common for Josephine to gift a family member or friend with a handmade quilt for a wedding present or the birth of a new baby.
Now these heartwarming quilts can wrap those loved ones in warmth AND fond memories.
Josephine leaves behind a loving family:
Her children: Karen (Greg) Williams, Joan (Paul) Sheidler, Tracy (Pam) Estep
Grandchildren: Tonya (Keith) Welch, Anthony (Tonya) Estep, Curtis (Misty) Sheidler, Stephanie Estep, Rebecca Sheidler, Lindsay Estep, Marcus Estep, and Ava Estep
Great Grandchildren: Brandon Widener (Michelle Spivey), Tyler Parker, Adam Estep, Mahla (Dawson) Bell, Alex Estep, Isabella Wright, and Stephen Sheidler
Great-Great Grandchildren: Paislee Parker and Brielle Widener
2 Sisters: Augustine McCurry and Lucretia Turner
2 Step-Sisters: Glenda (Roger) Tackett and Laura Mae (Eddie) Hurley
1 Brother: Gomer Justice
And a multitude of friends and family. Special friend Gaynell Thornsbury, Judy Ward and loving niece Leslie Turner
Other than her parents and her loving husband, Josephine was also preceded in death by:
2 Sons: Stephen Randall Estep and Robert Douglas Estep
2 Sisters: Edith Justice Slone and Mazie Justice
2 Brothers: Gether Justice and Chester Justice
3 Step-Sisters: Maddie Ann Cole, Dorothy Billiter and Billie Doris Phillips
The family will receive friends Sunday December 4, 2022 from 6 until 9 PM at Coffey Funeral Home. The funeral service will be Monday December 5, 2022 at 11 AM in the Coffey Funeral Home Chapel. The graveside service will follow in the Fairview Cemetery.
Minister: Rev. Brandon Bolden
Singers: Lisa Spires and David Painter
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.coffeyfh.com for the Estep family.
