Joyce Diane Estes

Joyce Diane Estes got her angel wings early Tuesday morning, February 18, 2025. I am pretty sure she burst through the pearly gates with her very fun, lively, ornery personality and started taking charge, and I know for sure she was met by Mom and Dad and other loved ones gone before, also all the furry babies that were a part of her life. WHOLE, HEALED AND WELL TAKEN CARE OF. To quote Billy Graham - "Someday you will hear that I have died. Don't believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. i will have gone into the presence of God."

Diane was born February 13, 1957, to Horace Dean and Roma June Wilburn Estes in Dumas, TX. She was feisty from day one. Of the four kids, she had the most fun, colorful and biggest and bravest personality. She also had the HUGEST heart for kids and puppies and her family. She worked for District Attorney Barry Blackwell in Dalhart after graduating, then moved to Amarillo and worked at Phillips Petroleum for several years until they moved the offices to Oklahoma. She then was the assistant to Amarillo City Mayor Jerry Hodge for several years until he retired, and they remained lifelong friends. She next worked several years at Pantex while taking classes in the evenings and online to eventually achieve a Master’s degree in social work. That became her passion, and she helped many people to get benefits they were entitled to. She loved fighting for the underdog. She was the first child in our family to complete college. She was always a hard worker and if she loved you, she loved you with her whole heart. She also had one of those expressive faces that talked ....even if she didn't say a word, you knew exactly what she was thinking. She was so full of life and love.

Diane was born with a special God gift of music and was multi-talented in that gift. She could play any musical instrument by ear and in any key. She played the organ, piano, accordion and also loved to sing. Growing up music and singing was central to our family and many times we all gathered around the piano and sang. We kids also learned to sing harmony and sang at church and various gatherings.

Diane was preceded in death by her mom, Roma June Estes, and later her dad, Horace Dean Estes. She is survived by her siblings Wade Estes, LuAnn Taylor (Richard) and Brian Estes (Susan), niece Ashley Smith & husband Cameron, Madilyn, Thatcher, Wyatt & Abbot, and nephew Tyson Taylor & wife Jenny, Henry, Soren, Margot and Hayes.

Services for Diane will be at Living Water Christian Fellowship (10100 W Hwy 60) on Saturday, March 1s at 10 am with burial at a later time at the Dalhart Cemetery beside Mom and Dad.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Gentiva Hospice, Living Water Christian Fellowship or your favorite dog charity.