Louise Johnston Estes, loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, died on December 15, 2010. Born in Littleton, NC to Mack Leon and Louise Hackney Johnston on July 17, 1914, Louise attended Brenau College in Gainesville, GA where she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority. During her college summers, she was a camp counselor for teenagers at Camp Echoee.
On February 2, 1936, she married Carter H. Estes of Gainesville, GA. They had three daughters, Lyna Estes Anderson, her husband, Carl Anderson, their children, Carl H. Anderson, David Anderson and Jill Anderson and their children, Chip and P.J. Anderson of Shaker Heights, Ohio; Mary Frances Estes Richardson, her husband Spurgeon Richardson of Atlanta GA, their children, Spurgeon Richardson III, wife Frances, and their children Rachel, Sarah Grace, and Knox Richardson of Amelia Island, FL; Kathryn Richardson Gerrick, and husband Charles, their children, Katie, Will and Noah Gerrick of Atlanta; Carter Richardson, and wife, Marci, their children Jack and Dorsey Richardson of Atlanta; Betty Estes Allan of Gainesville, GA, her children, Tracy Dionne of Cumming, husband Michael, their children, Cameron, Gavin, and Aaron, Amy Allan Defoor and son Alex of San Francisco, CA, and son, Jimmy Allan of Kennesaw, GA, nephews Dr. Fred Knickerbocker and wife Susan of Bristol, VA, Mack Johnston III of Providence, RI, Curtis Johnston of Charlotte, NC , cousins Matt Johnston of Littleton, NC, and Becky Frazier of Augusta, GA.
Louise was held in high esteem in the community because of her many accomplishments and outpouring of energy and love to so many. She was a true pillar of the First Baptist Church including: first woman deacon and member of the First Baptist Church, member of the building committee of First Baptist Church, Decoration chairman of the New Parlor at First Baptist Church, President of a missionary group that was named for her, Sunday School preschool, singles and the young married class teacher.
During her lifetime, she was very active in a number of wonderful organizations: President of the Hall County Girl Scouts' Council, President of the Art Study Club, State Officer of the Women's Missionary Union, she volunteered for Meals on Wheels, Charter member and President of the Gateway Garden Club, President of the Northeast Georgia Hospital Auxiliary, served as vice president of the Junior Service League and president of the board of Green Hunter Home Nursery.
Along with her husband, Carter, they were named Man and Woman of the Year by the Rotary Club in 1958. In 2005, she was presented with the Lifetime Service Award from First Baptist Church.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, December 17, 2010 at First Baptist Church chapel 751 Green Street, Gainesville, GA at 2:30 p.m. The family will receive friends following the service in the Banquet Hall.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in her memory to First Baptist Church.
Online condolences may be made at www.littledavenport.com
