Rev. Sam Estes

August 9, 1919 - February 9, 2021

Sam R. Estes, Jr, of Lubbock, died at age 101 February 9, 2021. He was born August 9, 1919, in Bartlesville, OK, the third child of seven born to Sam and Grace Estes. His wife of 69 years, Louise, passed away in 2009. An ordained Cumberland Presbyterian minister for seventy-nine years, Pastor Sam attended Bethel College, North Texas State University, and held bachelor and master’s degrees from Trinity Bible College and Seminary. Sam served pastorates in Louisiana, Missouri, Tennessee, Texas, and Kentucky before coming to Lubbock to become Senior Pastor of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church on May 1, 1962. After twenty-four years in that position he entered semi-retirement, remaining with the church as Minister of Outreach and then ultimately as Pastor Emeritus until his death— fifty-nine years with the church. In the community Pastor Sam served as volunteer chaplain at UMC, Methodist Hospital, worked with Telephone Ministry of Lubbock, participated in the Presbyterian Council, and was secretary of the Ministers Association of Lubbock. Sam is survived by two of his siblings, Olive Boston of Benbrook, and Clay Estes (Jeanne) of Marshall; two children, George R. Estes (Janie) of Germantown, TN, and Judith Anne Estes Smith-Stott (Lynn) of Portland, OR; six grandchildren, two great grandchildren, six nieces and six nephews, plus grands. A memorial service is planned for Sunday February 14 at 2 pm at Cumberland Presbyterian Church. With COVID concerns, the service will be available online from the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Cumberland Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 7702 Indiana Ave, Lubbock, TX 79423.