Elna Estelle Popejoy Perry, 97, of Florence, Alabama, went home to be with our Lord Jesus on Sunday night, March 16, 2014. Visitation will be 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 22, 2014, at Elkins Funeral Home Florence Chapel, service will follow at 11:00 a.m. Graveside service will be at Paint Rock Cemetery, Paint Rock, Ala., at 3:00 p.m.
She was the last surviving of nine children born to Jennie Estelle Blanton and Elbert Rice Popejoy. She was born May 31, 1916, in Paint Rock, AL, where she grew up and always thought of as "home." She was a graduate of Woodville High School and North Alabama Business College, Huntsville, AL. She worked for the Department of Public Welfare in Huntsville; married Charlie Lee Perry of Madison County, AL, on May 24, 1941. They moved to Florence in October 1948. Estelle became a legal secretary, working in that field for more than 40 years.
Estelle loved Woodmont Baptist Church, of which, she, Charlie, and their daughter were founding members. She continued to be a faithful and active member of Woodmont, as long as her health allowed. She had been an active member of The Pilot Club of Florence since January 1980, serving in several capacities, including President; she also was active on the state level and greatly enjoyed attending Pilot International conventions. She was a life member of The Florence Music Study Club and the National Federation of Music Clubs. Estelle enjoyed traveling, cooking, crocheting, piecing quilts, playing cards, dominoes, entertaining children, and being with her family and friends, whom she loved dearly.
She is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Jennie Lee Perry Cabler and James R. Cabler, Florence, AL; grandsons, Paris Lee Cabler, Florence; Lincoln Popejoy Cabler and wife Dolores, Murfreesboro, TN; great-grandchildren, Sarah Cabler, Grace Cabler, Evan Hall, William T. Hall and wife Taylor, all of Murfreesboro; nieces and nephews, Edith Turner and Gerald, Huntsville, AL; Elizabeth Popejoy, Scottsboro, AL; Anita Holloway, Wanda Pietzsch and Ronnie, TX; James E. Russell and Joann, Harvest, AL; Connie Creel, Florence, AL; Judith Carney and David, New Market, AL; Howard Blanton Maples and Linda, Chattanooga, TN; Annette McGee, Paint Rock, AL.
Other survivors include great nieces and nephews: Glenda Brandner, KS; Linda Cuddington, GA; Elisa Wenturine, GA; Melanie Dailey, Smyrna, TN; Janis Smith, NM, Nancy McKelvain, Kim Perkins, Lisa Field, Shelli Ford, Staci Cardwell, all of TX; Paul Russell, Russellville; Bill Russell, Franklin, TN; Roy Russell, Madison, AL; Eddie Russell, Rebecca Langstaff, Sharon Hammond, Angela White, Florence, AL; Russ Creel, Tuscumbia, AL; Laurie Anderson, Hazel Green, AL; Joseph Peppers, New Market, AL; Lyn Peppers, Huntsville, AL; Jason Maples, Ooltewah, Tn; Daniel Maples, Chattanooga, TN; Robbie McGee, Paint Rock, AL; and numerous great-great and great-great-great nieces and nephews.
Estelle was predeceased by her parents; sisters, Mamie Kennamer White, Beulah Russell, Alice Mildred Maples; brothers, Milton Popejoy, William E. Popejoy, Charles B. Popejoy, and Clyde L. Popejoy; nieces, Jean Holzman and Doris Creel; nephews, M. E. Popejoy, Donald Popejoy, and Larry Popejoy.