A Tribute to A Faithful Lady

Judy Estes

1946-2005

                Judy Estes is a cherished and beloved friend. That she was a remarkable lady while she walked on this earth was attested by the hundreds who came to pay their last respects to her on Monday and Tuesday (November 13 and 14). Several people who were present on Monday evening to greet the family said to me, “I never saw that many people come to pay their respects to anyone.” Some who made that statement are in their 70s! It is impossible to say it with certainty, but I am confident that more than 1500 people passed through our church auditorium on Monday evening, and many more throughout the day on Tuesday to say “farewell” to a beloved lady! Our church auditorium was literally packed and overflowing with family and friends for the funeral service on Tuesday evening.

                I had the privilege of serving our God and Savior with Judy, as her pastor for more than twenty-five years. In all those years, the one word that best characterizes her remarkable pilgrimage through this world, in my opinion (and in the opinion expressed to me by numerous others) is “faithful.” Judy was a faithful lady. I never knew her to miss a worship service, if she was physically able to attend, though she often did so in her last two years when she was terribly weak because of her sickness.

                Judy was our pianist and regularly sang in our worship services, at least once a week, for 25 years. I recall her telling me, many years ago, that when she first started singing, “My daddy told me, ‘If you are going to sing, sing for the glory of God and sing with clarity songs that honor him. If people can’t understand the words you sing, there’s no point in you singing.” Judy obeyed her father’s good counsel. Every song she sang (I heard them all.) exalted God’s sovereign, free, effectual, saving grace in Christ.

                But that does not begin to describe my friend’s faithful service to our Redeemer and his people. Though she never knew I knew it, she (and her husband, Bobbie), was generous in supporting the cause of Christ around the world. Every visitor in our worship services was greeted by her with a warm smile and thoughtful comments. She often spent hours cleaning our church building. And she was a constant source of encouragement to her pastor. Her last words to me were, “I thank God for you and Mrs. Fortner. I am so thankful for your preaching of the gospel, and for everything she does for us all and to help you with your work.”

                After that, we hugged, kissed one another on the cheek, and said “Goodbye,” with tears burning our cheeks. I think she knew, and I knew, we would not likely speak again until I join her, singing with the millions ‘round the throne, — “Praise the Lord for full salvation. God still reigns upon the throne. And I know the blood still reaches deeper than the stain has gone!”