Naomi Marie Estes, aged 88, died early on the morning of January 29, 2024, in Lakeway, Texas, in the presence of her family. She had suffered a heart attack in December of 2023, and in the following weeks she was unable to regain her strength. Family members and friends traveled to see Marie or reached out by phone during the last weeks, and Marie displayed that she was at peace with her life.

Marie was born in Conehatta, Mississippi, on March 14, 1935, to Eugene Franklin Weaver and Mattie Naomi Dennis, the sixth of nine children. The Weavers lived on a farm, where Marie and her siblings grew up. They attended Conehatta Baptist Church, where she learned the faith that formed the person she became. From her home life, she learned hard work, pulling together, and making the best of what they had.

On the night she graduated from Conehatta High School in 1953, her graduation present from her older brother Dale was a trip to Port Arthur, Texas. She went to visit a dear friend, the daughter of her former pastor in Conehatta, A. O. Jenkins. Marie found a job at a dress shop while visiting, and she decided to stay. During the time she lived in Port Arthur she also worked at the Gulf Oil Refinery in the factory that made oil cans.

She joined Trinity Baptist, pastored by Brother Jenkins. At Trinity, she became close friends with Alva "Abe" and Palmer Estes, who worked with the young people. They often held gatherings in their home. She eventually met their youngest son Herbert, after he returned home from two years of serving in the Army. Before long, Marie and Herb began dating, and they married in Port Arthur on June 9, 1956. They were married for 58 years at the time of Herb's death, and they were proud parents of three children.

Marie and Herb lived in Port Arthur until Herb finished his engineering degree. They moved to Fort Worth, Texas, and he began a job with the aerospace company Convair. During their years in Fort Worth, their first child, Everly, was born. They soon moved to Denver, Colorado, so Herb could join the Martin-Marietta company. They had two more children, Eric, and Ruth, while living in Colorado.

In 1964, Marie and family moved to Houston and the new neighborhood of Sagemont. Herb began working at NASA, and the family settled into southeast Houston where the children all attended and graduated from high school. Marie and Herb joined Easthaven Baptist Church, where they served in many different capacities. She and Herb worked with the youth and often had many children and young people from church in their home. They were so beloved and familiar that the young people began calling them by their first names, Marie and Herbie.

Marie was very active with the Women's Missionary Union, supporting pastoral and community work of the church. She developed deep relationships with many of the women of the church. She provided pastoral support to families dealing with illness and grief, making regular visits to the homes of senior women, taking her children with her. Marie would regularly prepare food to take to families going through difficult times. She and the children also visited her mother most every day in the nursing home when she came to live in Houston. Marie was known in her church as a devoted person of prayer and a loving friend who would always show up in times of need.

After Marie's children had moved away for college, careers, and families, she tried her hand at operating a small business. It began with home parties to sell dresses and other women's clothes. Over time, she added many accessories, jewelry, and eventually home décor items. She was gifted in making flower arrangements, wreaths, and other floral decorative items, receiving many orders for her handiwork. Marie found great enjoyment and success in helping others find beautiful clothing and ornamental items while gathered with friends and new acquaintances.

In their retirement years, Marie and Herb became members of Sagemont Church. They participated in senior adult ministry activities, including Sunday School, group travel, and hospitality ministries. They enjoyed being together with many of their siblings and friends, traveling to visit or receiving them into their home. Into her final years, Marie found great joy and peace from listening and watching the sermons of Rev. John Morgan, longtime pastor of Sagemont.

In 2011, Marie and Herb moved to Austin, Texas, where Ruth and family shared their home with Grannie Ree and Grandpa Herbie. Herb was in declining health, and Marie continued to provide loving care for him along with the support of her family. She loved being with her grandchildren and having regular gatherings of her children and their families in the Finkelstine home.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents; husband Herb; daughter Everly Broadway;  sisters Birdie Linda Weaver and Dorothy Parish; brothers Dale Weaver, Tom Weaver, Lewis Weaver, Carl Weaver, and Ben Weaver.

She is survived by her sister Geraldine Haralson of Conehatta, MS; son Eric Estes and wife Laura of League City, TX; daughter Ruth Estes and husband John Finkelstine of Austin, TX; son-in-law Mikael Broadway and spouse Carmen Monico of High Point, NC.

She is survived by 6 grandchildren, David Broadway and spouse Michael Pascual of Durham, NC; Naomi Broadway of Greensboro, NC; Lydia Broadway and husband Dave Wiedmeyer of Houston, TX; Emily Finkelstine of Berkeley, CA; Kenny Finkelstine of Austin, TX; Garrett Estes of League City, TX, and great grandson William Wiedmeyer.

The funeral service will be held at Peevey Funeral Home (12440 Beamer Rd, Houston, TX 77089) Saturday, Feb 3, 2024. The visitation begins at 10:00 am, and the funeral service at 11:00 am. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery (8601 Almeda Genoa Rd).

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to a charity of your choice. You may express Condolences and sign a Guest Book by posting at the website https://www.peeveyfunerals.com.