Edith Eleanora Esther Estes of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died Tuesday morning, August 30, 2011, at her home in Blackwell at the age of 88 years.

Edith Eleanora Esther Estes was born on August 26, 1923, in Blackwell to Theodore F. and Emma K. (Claybaker) Deffner. She grew up in Blackwell attending Blackwell Public Schools graduating from Blackwell High School in 1941. Following her education she worked at the Tonkawa Prisoner of War Camp during World War II before working for the Blackwell Tag Agency. She married Benjamin Caldwell in 1943 and they settled in Blackwell. In the early 1950's she worked as a secretary for the Trinity Lutheran Church and later worked for the Hart Floral Company. In 1958 she began working as a secretary for the Dave Morgan Oil Company. She married J. C. Estes on February 14, 1960, in Medford and they made Blackwell their home. In 1964 she began working as a bookkeeper for First National Bank in Blackwell and worked there until her retirement in 1986. She was a member of the Harmony Sunday School Class and the First Christian Church in Blackwell. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, bowling and playing card games. She loved to paint, share activities with her family and serving them in many ways.

She is survived by her husband, J. C. Estes of Blackwell; two daughters, Pat Searcy of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Kay Anderson and husband Ken of Lakewood, Colorado; two sons, Mike Caldwell and wife Cynthia and Clarke Estes and wife Lisa all of Ponca City; a brother, Carol Deffner of Florence, Colorado; nine grandchildren, Cheryl Murphy and husband Dennis of Tulsa, Sally Searcy of Tulsa, Ben Searcy and wife Rachel of Horn Lake, Mississippi, Jason Caldwell and wife Becca of Houston, Texas, Justin Caldwell of Boulder, Colorado, Renee Anderson of Denver, Colorado, Ryan Anderson of New York City, New York, Tanner Estes of Ponca City and Archer Estes Ponca City; and four great greatgrandchildren, Ryan Murphy of Tulsa, Sara Graham of Tulsa, and Charlotte and Anderson Caldwell of Houston, Texas.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Benjamin; two brothers, Pat and Earl; and three sisters, Dorothy, Mildred and Floy.

Services are scheduled for 1:00 p.m., Saturday, September 3rd in the First Christian Church in Blackwell with the Rev. Jeff Koch of the First Christian Church officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery.

Casketbearers will be Jason Caldwell, Justin Caldwell, Ben Searcy, Ryan Anderson, Ryan Murphy and Ken Anderson.

Serving as honorary casketbearers will be Tanner Estes, Archer Estes and Anderson Caldwell.

A memorial has been established in her honor with the American Cancer Society in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.