Estes, Betty Jo Willard

Betty Jo Willard Estes passed away peacefully on Monday, May 25, 2015 at the Carilion New River Valley Medical Center in Radford. Betty was born on March 19, 1934, at home in Blacksburg, Va., on the farm that was once known as the Palmer Place. She was a daughter of the late J.O. James Oscar Willard and Elva Princess Webb.

She was hired as Blacksburg’s first female rural carrier and worked for the post office for 22 years.

She was preceeded in death by her husband, W. Keith Estes; and brothers, James Elwin (Eggie), Everett Glenvar (Feets), Raymond Lee Willard; and her sister, Ima Georgene Willard Bess; sister-in-law, Reba B. Willard; brother-in-law, Claude Bess; two great nephews, Dean Willard and Kendall Bess; sister-in-law, Elizabeth K. Willard; and nephew, Jimmy Willard.

Betty and Keith were married on December 27, 1954 and celebrated 59 wonderful years together.

She is survived by her two sons, Curtis M. Estes and companion, Rhonda L. Perry, and J. Michael Estes and his wife, Pam; former daughter-in-law, Deborah Trimarchi Hamilton; as well as grandchildren, Mary Rachel Estes, her fiance, Joshua Recca, J. Keith Estes, Jason Ehrhart, Kari A. Estes, her fiance, Dale Davis; and great-granddaughters, Magdalene (Mada) Recca and Hailey Recca; and one sister-in-law, Pat T. Willard. Her grandchildren and great-granddaughters were the love of her life.

Betty would like to thank Bruce Caldwell who was always there when she called him and her very dear and special friend Norma Hill, “Thank you for your friendship these past sixty some years. I couldn’t have made it without you. So closes this chapter of our book.” She leaves behind her extended families of the Lucas and the Hills and a number of very dear friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations be made in her memory to the Wounded Warrior Project with whom her grandson Jason is affiliated or the American Heart Association (www.heart.org). Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road Suite 300, Jacksonville, FLA 32256. (www.woundedwarriorproject.org)

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 31, 2015 at the McCoy Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 1, 2015 at the McCoy Funeral Chapel with the Reverend Michael Hill officiating.

Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, 150 Country Club Drive, SW, Blacksburg, Va.