Marie Estridge, 90, our precious mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away and entered her heavenly home on Sunday, April 26, 2020 to join the love of her life and dear husband Ted of 72 years, who preceded her in death a short 8 months ago. Marie was a woman of great faith and love for Christ, not knowing that as a young woman when she led her husband to Jesus sixty years ago their family’s destiny would be forever changed to a lifetime of Christian service. In 1963 they sold all their household furnishings and belongings and took their young family of 6 to spend 15 years in Okinawa, Japan, as missionaries. Marie spent the next 41 years serving along side her husband as a pastor’s wife at Grace Baptist Church in Huntsville upon returning to the United States .
Marie was devoted to her 10 grandchildren and spent time caring for all of them as they grew up. They knew they would get hugs and an attentive ear when they visited her. They still rave about her Lemon Meringue pie, fried chicken, fresh baked cookies, and sweet and sour pork. She loved cooking, sewing, and gardening, and excelled at all three. In the last few months of her life as her health was faltering she loved spending quiet days watching the Food Network and Rachel Rae every day, and Wheel of Fortune every night.
Marie was preceded in death by her husband Ted, and grandchildren Eric Wilson, and Sarah Pettitt. She is survived by her children Carolyn (Terry) Wilson; Ted (Debra) Estridge; Wanda (Steven) Darson; and Joyce Pettitt; grandchildren Tonya (Chris) Guinn; Kelly (Chris) Isaacson; Krista (Nick) Buccleugh; Candi (Rick) Back; Kay (Chris) McGlothen; Kyle Darson, Rachel (Dash) Cruz, and Cameron Pettitt.; 11 great-grandchildren; sisters Doris Wright and Marjorie Brisbin of Florida, and brother Wilbur Allen of Indiana.
Marie’s favorite Bible verse, which she often quoted, was I Corinthians 2:9 -“But it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither entered in the heart of man the things God hath prepared for them that love Him.” Although she will be terribly missed by her entire extended family, our sweet mother knows all about heaven now and is rejoicing.
Visitation will be held at Berryhill Funeral Home on Friday, May 1st, from 11-1 pm. There will be a private graveside service afterwards at Huntsville Memory Gardens at 2 pm. to be officiated by Dr. James Kennard and Matt Ellis.
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