Peggy Sue Ayers Estes died Thursday, November 12, 2026 at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo after a period of declining health. She was 82 years old. Born August 24, 1944 in Kossuth, Mississippi to Clovis Ayers and Grace Mathis Ayers, she was a graduate of Kossuth High School and attended Beauty College. She was a beautician for several years and helped her late husband, Charles Estes at Estes Jewelry Store in Tupelo. At age 40, she decided she wanted to be a nurse. She eventually earned her bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the University of North Alabama and spent over 35 years as a cardiac nurse with North Miss. Medical Center. She helped establish hospital protocol for cardiac patients and served as a leader to other hospitals in their practice of cardiac care. Peggy was an avid bird watcher, a lover of cats, watching Adrian Rogers TV ministry from Belleview Baptist in Memphis. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Baldwyn and was active in the latter years of her life with the on-line ministry there, always greeting visitors and sharing the good news of Jesus. Peggy had a fondness for Country Musicians and often followed them in concert throughout the Mid-south.
A celebration of life service will be held at 3 PM on Monday, November 16, 2026 at Holland Funeral Directors in Tupelo with Bro. Michael Sykes and Bro. Kelly Carmichael officiating. Visitation will be from 12 PM to service time at the funeral home Monday only. Burial will take place at Tupelo Memorial Park. For those unable to attend, the service will be livestreamed at 3 PM on Monday at hollandfuneraldirectors.com/live-streaming and will be archived thereafter. Holland Funeral Directors – Tupelo Chapel is honored to serve the family.
Peggy is survived by her son, Tommy Estes of Booneville, niece Wanda Cartwright, nephew Roger Dellinger, both of the Corinth area, and several cousins and other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Clovis and Grace Ayers, her husband Charles Estes, who died in 2019, and her son, Kenny.
Peggy’s passing leaves a profound void in the hearts of those who loved her, but her spirit will continue to inspire and guide them. She taught us all the importance of cherishing each moment, loving deeply, and living life with integrity and compassion, and always putting others before herself. As we mourn her loss, we also celebrate the beautiful life she lived—a life filled with love, laughter, and a legacy that will endure through the memories and stories shared by those who knew her.
In honoring Peggy’s memory, let us strive to emulate the love, kindness, and generosity, she so effortlessly embodied. May her soul rest in eternal peace, and may her memory be a blessing to all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Pallbearers will be Bruce Welch, Michael Martin, Mark Long, Jason Whitenton, Eric Hoyle, and David Mahaffey.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sanctuary Hospice House, P. O. Box 2177, Tupelo, MS 38803, or to First Christian Church, 996 S. 4th St., Baldwyn, MS 38824.
Condolences for the family may be left on Peggy’s memorial page at hollandfuneraldirectors.com.
