Marilyn Lou Estes

Marilyn Lou Estes 75, of Indianapolis, Indiana passed away September 26, 2022, following an extended illness.

Marilyn Lou (and her twin sister, Carolyn Sue) joined the world in Glasgow, Kentucky on September 15, 1947, to parents Hulen and Mary Clyde (Anderson) Ballard. As a child, Marilyn was ornery, strong-willed, quick with a joke, and always had a hysterical comeback for any situation. As seven-year-olds, the twins Marilyn and “Sue” would spend their days running barefoot through the “crick” in the hollers of Kentucky. One day, while running up the creek banks, a 12-year-old boy caught her eye and 10 years later on June 12, 1965, in Tennessee, Marilyn married her childhood sweetheart, Jimmie E. Estes.

Marilyn was a social butterfly who loved shopping with her girlfriends and picking out the perfect outfit for her grandchildren. Getting her nails done and hanging out at the beauty shop was always a joy. She enjoyed a good game of cards with Euchre and Shang-Hai Rummy being favorites. Marilyn loved cooking bountiful feasts for her family especially during the holidays. She will be remembered for her dumplings, zucchini bread, and fried chicken. Marilyn loved to curl up with a good romance novel or mystery thriller with a cup of coffee. But, more than anything, she loved being a grandmother to her four grandchildren.

A woman of strong Christian faith, Marilyn was an active member for over 30 years at the Lafayette Heights Church of Christ where she served as a Sunday School Teacher. Gifted with a servant’s heart, she especially was devoted to the preschool age children, and was always the first to volunteer to share her love for Jesus with the little ones. Following the closure of Lafayette Heights, Marilyn became a member of the Southport Church of Christ where she continued to serve the community.

Marilyn is survived by her husband of 57 years, Jimmie, her three children, Susan (Adam) Biszantz, Paula (Brad) Estes-Maynard, Justin (Jennifer) Estes, grandchildren, Chloe and Briley Biszantz, Sophia and Caleb Estes, and her twin sister, Carolyn (Ruell) Muse, numerous nieces, nephew, extended family, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Runell Dubree and Brenda Ballard, and brothers Johnny Ballard, Jimmy Ballard, and Billy Ballard.

Visitation for Marilyn will be held on Monday, October 3, 2022, 3:00-7:00pm and Tuesday, October 4, 2022, 12:00-1:00pm at Flanner Buchanan Decatur Township with the funeral service on Tuesday at 1:00pm at the funeral home. Mo Hafley will be conducting her services. Following the service, she will be laid to rest at West Newton Cemetery-West Newton, Indiana. To share your favorite memories, and to sign the online guest registry please go to www.flannerbuchanan.com