On Saturday September 3rd, 2011, Martha Joan Taylor Estes Hickman, 65, passed away in her home surrounded by her family. She was born December 5, 1945 in Fayetteville, Arkansas to Woodrow Wilson Taylor and Beulah Mae Gray Taylor. She was a graduate of Hillcrest High School in Springfield, Missouri.
She is preceded in death by her parents and by her second husband Dick Hickman, her brother Mike Taylor, and her sisters Geri Heim and Margorie Langston. She is survived by her first husband, Howard Estes, her children, Christy McNeely, Michelle Holtmeyer and her husband Greg, son Gregory Estes, and her step daughter Jill Snider and husband Steve and their children .
The loves of her life included her grandchildren Bailey and Riley Cole, Lucas and Grace Holtmeyer. She will be missed by her loving family including her sisters Iris Darlene Kissner, Lola Talbert and husband JE, Linda Williamson and husband Mickey, and brother Mitch Taylor and her “sister by heart” Joyce as well as numerous nieces and nephews who loved her dearly.
From a child, Joan’s favorite pastime was reading. This love lead her to become a librarian and she spent her entire career teaching and encouraging high school students at Central High School to love books and expand their minds. After retirement she continued to share her love by volunteering her time and talents with the “Friends of the Library”. Joan’s other passions included her love of theatre and dance. She spent many hours volunteering at Springfield Little Theatre and held offices in her square dance groups including “Solo Swingers” and “Kountry Cousins” where she was an “angel” who taught others how to dance.
Joan believed strongly in the ties that bind, keeping up with her friends from high school through her “Hillcrest Ladies of 63” group and her extended work family at Central High School. Joan’s zest for life and direct attitude influenced students and friends alike. She was an inspiration to all through the way she lived her life, and her belief in God and community service.
She trained and served as a “Stephen Minister” through her church, Schweitzer United Methodist, the Schweitzer “Ladies of Hope Circle” and the Inquirers Sunday School class. She believed it was everyone’s duty to do what they are able and to help those in need , and lived that example to the fullest. She taught the message of love to every life that she touched, and left her family and friends better off for knowing her.
The visitation will be held Tuesday September 6th from 6 – 8 p.m., in Greenlawn Funeral Home North with a celebration service at 10 a.m., Wednesday, September 7th. In lieu of flowers please send contributions to the Central High School S.E.A scholarship fund, or Care to Learn at 411 N. Sherman Parkway, 65802.
Published in the News-Leader from September 4 to September 6, 2011