Gertie (Berry) Estes

Gertie Estes, daughter of the late Claude and Ivy (Tetrick) Berry, was born on November 2, 1935 at Blanche, Missouri in Douglass County, and passed away on July 23, 2012 in the Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri, following a long illness. She was 76 years, 8 months and 21 days of age.
Gertie grew up and attended school in the Blanche Community. She attended college for one year in Tucsan, Arizona and three years at the University of Hawaii.

Following her education, Gertie worked at the Brown Shoe Company in Mtn. Grove and later for J.C. Penny Company. While living in Houston, Texas, Gertie was an auditor for Walgreens. During her employment with them, she traveled to many different states to audit the stores.

She made her home in Hawaii in the 1960’s for three years and spent three years in Germany, before moving back to the United States. She moved to Houston, Texas where she met and married Travis Estes. They had celebrated twenty-three years together. Gertie was known as an excellent cook and seamstress. She liked to bake pies, sew, and quilt in her spare time. She also liked spending time outdoors, enjoying the nature around her. She knew most all species of trees, plants, birds and insects.

Gertie was a member of the Assembly of God Church in Norwood, Missouri. She enjoyed attending services as long as her health permitted. She liked spending time with her family and visiting with her friends and church family.

She is survived by her husband: Travis Estes of their home in Mtn. Grove, Missouri; one son: Clint Thornton and his wife, Debbie, of Houston, Texas; one brother: Elzie Berry and his wife, June, of Tightwad, Missouri; and other relatives and friends who will sadly miss her.

Memorial Contributions:
Blanche Cemetery Fund, c/o the funeral home.