Earl Estes

Earl Estes, age 98, of Forest City, passed away, Friday, April 7, 2023 at Fair Haven Home of Bostic.

Earl was born Wednesday, May 21, 1924 in Swain County, NC to the late Fred Estes and Gertrude Anthony Estes. He worked as a pipeline welder for Piedmont Natural Gas for twenty years and a machinist for Harper Corporation of America. He also served in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) for several years. Earl was a member of Florence Baptist Church and a part of the Masonic Lodge in Charlotte. He enjoyed working outdoors and especially vegetable gardening.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Janice Wagoner; stepson, Donald Malcolm; five sisters and two brothers.

Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife of thirty years, Gladys Hall Estes; daughter, Cynthia Romeis of Charlotte; stepsons, Gary Malcolm (Susan) of Ellenboro, Daniel Malcolm of Rutherfordton, Timothy Malcolm (Teresa) of Harris; sisters, Nora Womack and Zora Pippert both of Marion. He is also survived by ten grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson.

The funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, April 11th at Florence Baptist Church with Reverend Daniel Selman officiating. Entombment will follow in the mausoleum at Rutherford County Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 1:45 pm in the church auditorium prior to the service.