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Sidmel Estes Obituary
Memories and Condolences
for Sidmel Estes
63 Entries
January 2, 2016
My fond memories of Sidmel are the ones being with her at AABJ meetings, and working with her on matters that effected minorities in the journalism and broadcast industry. Also, hanging out with her at NABJ conventions, and teasing her about her beloved Falcons.
I will miss her strength, confidence, laughter and wonderful smile. But I will always carry with me the encouraging positive spirit she shared with us all.
My heart and prayers go out to the entire Estes family. May the good Lord bless and keep the Estes family. We'll miss you Sidmel, but your spirit will continue to live in each one of us you touched.
Pam Tennell
November 1, 2015
Rest in eternal peace Sidmel. May God's perpetual light shine upon you always.
ANTHONY JONES
October 26, 2015
I met Sidmel in SC when I first started working in television broadcasting in 1977.. She was my first mentor as she invited me into NABJ. She was very instrumental in my decision to move to GA. Today her leadership style.. I imitate as I will always continue to stride to lead just as she did. To the family.. continue to be encouraged as I will continue to admire her and follow her example as a leader a mentor and mostly her as a person.
October 19, 2015
Sidmel was a drum major for journalism and therefore, 'a drum major for justice.' She will be missed for the myriad ways she touched our lives -- as a mom who shared her story of balance and encouragement with other moms and clearly her love of her sons, a colleague who inspired those around her to be their best, a leader who wasn't afraid to make tough decisions or to stand alone in following her convictions, a friend who liked to have a good time.
We will miss you, Sidmel, and we are better for having had you in our lives.
C. Munroe
Orlando, Florida
October 19, 2015
My prayers are with the family during this difficult time. Sidmel was truly a wonderful woman.
Irv.
October 15, 2015
My deepest sympathy to the family sorry for
your loss Sidmel was smart and entertaining
She was loved and will sorely be missed.
Leslie Strong
October 13, 2015
Ms. Estes was my professor. She was an awesome lady that truly cared for her students. I miss her already!
Leslie Strong -CAU
Sharron Kornegay
October 13, 2015
To Sidmel's family: I remember her as a brilliant, funny and purpose-driven journalist/scholar. It was an honor to contribute to her literary magazine at Northwestern University. I was in awe of her sense of adventure when she went to work in Guam after graduation. As a reminder of her kind, whimsical and unstoppable spirit, I am displaying a gift she gave to my mom. Rest in Heaven, Sidmel!
Wyonella Henderson-Greene
October 12, 2015
Sidmel and I attended elementary school together. Her mom was the school's principal. Sidmel was always smart, talented and personable, and a bright light for this world. Peaceful journey friend...
Cassandra Wanzo
October 10, 2015
I knew Sidmel from our college days at Northwestern;such a beautiful spirit. We recently reconnected on Facebook; I regret that we didn't get to reconnect in person.Rest in Peace and Love Sidmel
Thako Rucker
October 10, 2015
To my mentor and friend,It was an honor to work with you and get to know you.
Judith Revere
October 9, 2015
May God bring peace and rest to you my dear childhood friend. Joy in the morning when you see your mom and dad. Rest dear Sidmel. Your friend Judith Revere
Amanda Davis
October 9, 2015
Rest with God!
October 9, 2015
To the family, may you endure this difficult time. Matthew 11:28-30
Mildred Addy
October 9, 2015
A beautiful and sweet person. Boys, stay strong and make your mother proud.
love,
M. Addy, Rex, Georgia
( former Allgood Teacher)
Judith Revere
October 9, 2015
May God bring peace and rest to you my dear childhood friend. Joy in the morning when you see your mom and dad. Rest dear Sidmel. Your friend Judith Revere
C. Nelms Lovejoy
October 9, 2015
Sidmel, will truly be missed, a great friend that stood tall from a young girl, that bosom into a great and original lady that people would respect. Rest Sidmel your job was well done. My prayer are with your Family.
C. Nelms - Lovejoy, College Park, GA
Darla Davenport-Powell
October 9, 2015
To the Estes Family,
The Hampton University Class of '79 is praying for you in the loss of Sidmel. May the peace of God comfort you during this difficult time and may His love strengthen you in days to come. Ed, we love you!
God Bless!
Darla Davenport-Powell, Chaplain
Hampton University
Class of 1979
Maudlyne Ihejirika
October 9, 2015
Thank you for your service and for paving the way for black journalists past and future. R.I.P. Dear Sidmel. Your work is done. May you rest well in the bosom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Candy Deemer
October 9, 2015
I only know Sidmel from our time together on the Board of Advisors of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern, but she was always such a thoughtful and passionate contributor of her ideas and opinions in these meetings. She was a true trailblazer, in so many ways. And someone whose kindness to others and ethics and professionalism will continue to inspire all of us who knew her. My sincere condolences to all of her family, friends, and colleagues who loved her so much.
October 9, 2015
May God bless you and your family in time of sorrow. We will keep the family in our prayers.
The Carnes Family
Iconium Baptist Church Family
Beverly Shepard
October 9, 2015
Sidmel will live on in the hearts and minds of countless individuals.
A trailblazer and an ENDURING inspiration.
The power, the presence, and now, the peace is hers forever more.
Beverly Shepard
Past President, Atlanta Association of Black Journalists
Jami Pettway
October 9, 2015
Cheryl and Chris, my thoughts and prayers are with you and family.
Jami Pettway
Meta J. Mereday
October 9, 2015
My condolences to the family. I have so many great memories of Sidmel which is interesting in itself since I was a part of the team that campaign against her historic presidential run! However,we all came together for the sake of the organization we all loved - NABJ - and made some great things happen. I will remember her smile and her style for Sister Sid was always versatile! Hug someone today and smile at a stranger, you might just change someone's life for the better! Sidmel did that for a lot of us.. pass it on
Corvairy Gibbons
October 8, 2015
R.I.H.
My condolences to Ed Estes & the entire Estes family. Sidmel and I were WLS comrades, sharing the same surgeon. She was always an encourager. May you now take your rest.
Irene Long
October 8, 2015
We will miss your beautiful smile and sweet personality!
Irene Long
October 8, 2015
What a wonderful lady! She was always helpful at Allgood Elementary School where her children attended...always willing to do what was needed for the students and faculty....she will be remembered fondly by everyone that knew her...Irene Long/Administrative Assistant (Retired)
Renee Houseworth
October 8, 2015
Sidney was a great friend whom I loved . Renee Tate Houseworth
Joanne Williams
October 8, 2015
Sidmel was an inspiration to all journalists. Her leadership of NABJ was critical and one of the reasons I stayed with the organization.
My prayers are with her family and hope they hold tight to the positive memories they have of her.
October 8, 2015
Sidmel was indeed a beautiful person inside and out. CAU will carry lasting memories of this great lady! God bless the family.
Shirley Benson
October 8, 2015
I will miss her. My condolences to the family. GOD will continue to strengthen you during this time. Trust in him.
October 8, 2015
When I restarted the journalism program at Emory University in 1996, I asked Sidmel to teach the program's broadcast journalism course. She did a great job and introduced the students to her world of work. During my years on the board of ASNE I always found Sidmel to be a feisty, fun comrade in the fight for news industry inclusion. She was a leader, whether serving NABJ,the Medill School of Journalism (where she served on the school's advisory board), or Emory. I miss her. Loren Ghiglione, Evanston, Illinois
Mary Stimmel
October 8, 2015
Sid Mel was a strong woman and fearless. She leaves a wonderful legacy for young journalists.
Tarvis Thompson
October 8, 2015
Thank you. Thank you! You were always so helpful as I pitched news to you beginning in 1999. You mentored, you uplifted. You touched so many. I pray you realized how much you are loved.
Leslie Duffield
October 8, 2015
I worked with Sidmel for several years at FOX 5. She was a driving force in the newsroom - never afraid to speak her mind or address the elephant in the room. She got people thinking. She challenged the status quo. She could be your biggest cheerleader, or a fierce adversary. She put her sweat, time and energy into the things she loved and supported, with her family and her two sons always at the top. In her passing, I have learned more about her many accomplishments and the lives she touched, than I ever did during her lifetime. She was an amazing woman, gone too soon.
Roy Campbell
October 8, 2015
Sidmel was a true inspiration and a fearless leader. When I began producing special events for the NABJ in 1993, Sidmel grilled me unmercifully at my first appearance before the NABJ board. But after coming to my first event, The Philadelphia Party with Patti LaBelle, she pulled me aside and told me her grilling was her way of preparing me to always do my best. She became a good friend and mentor over the years. And as I switched careers from journalism to event producer, the lesson she taught me - always be prepared helped me to a successful new career. She will be sorely missed. Condolences to the family.
Collie Burnett
October 8, 2015
Thank you for being such a wonderful producer and thought leader. I shall miss your advise and counsel. Because of your desire to do well at all aspects of journalism, you have created mountain few can climb. Sleep well dear sister I shall miss you.
Paulette Heard
October 8, 2015
A beautiful Lady, inside and out - always. My sincere condolences to the Estes/Sumpter family.
Barbara Hamm Lee
October 8, 2015
Sidmel and I shared many "behind-the-scenes" stories of being in TV management when we would see each other at NABJ conferences. She always had an encouraging word and a great sense of humor. I send sincerest sympathy to her family.
Letha Deck
October 8, 2015
I got to know Sidmel Estes at Northwestern University. Each year the African American student leadership planned and performed an orientation program called The Ritual. One year, as a contributor, I recited a poem she had written and later published in the literary journal she created, entitled, New Sense.
Kalin Thomas
October 8, 2015
One of my favorite memories of Sidmel was helping her campaign for president of NABJ. It was exciting when the votes came in, and we had a great party to celebrate her becoming the first woman president of NABJ!
Crystal Giddings
October 8, 2015
I worked with her mother who was principal at M Agnes Elementary School. It is here that I first met Sidmel and the rest of her siblings. May Bless the family and I know God has Sidmel in His arms.
Rev. Dr. Shirley Browne
October 8, 2015
FROM THE BROWNE FAMIY ~ Condolences to the family of this great woman, Sidmel Estes. Praying for your comfort during this time... Trust God because He is in control of everything...❤❤❤
Danita Robinson
October 8, 2015
Memories of a wonderful woman and neighbor. I am honored to have known Sid and served with her while she was president of the PTA at Allgood Elementary. I can still remember seeing her face the first time I met her newborn Josh. Years later, the same love for baby Sidney. She did everthing with excellence. I will truly miss her and pray for her beloved sons.
Danita Robinson
Valerie Butler Guyton
October 8, 2015
Sid, thank you for the great advice over the years and paving the way for TV news managers like myself. You will be missed! My condolences and continued prayers for the Estes family.
Ashante Dobbs-Cooper
October 8, 2015
I just learned that my beloved mentor, Sidmel Estes Sumpter, passed away. She was the first Executive Producer of Fox 5's "Good Day Atlanta" and former President of the National Association of Black Journalists. Sidmel is the reason I attended Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism. She gave me my first job in a real newsroom working as an intern for "Good Day Atlanta." She was a no-holds-barred, tell-it-like-it-is, force to be reckoned with. And she was a helluva journalist! THANK YOU Sidmel for showing me the ropes and serving as my 1st career mentor. There will never be another like you! Prayers up for this amazing woman! Love always, Your "Favorite student," ~Mrs. Ashante Dobbs-Cooper
Frank Washington
October 8, 2015
Most times that I saw Sidmel was at the NABJ annual convention. What I remember most about her was the warmest of smiles she gave when she greeted me. Yes, Sidmel was a first rate journalist,a trailblazer and a top notch media executive. But I'll remember most is he smile. RIP and in Heaven my friend.
Renee Nash
October 8, 2015
My heartfelt condolences to the family and all of her colleagues in the ATL. While I did not know her personally, I certainly admired her work as a professional. May she rest in peace. Renee J. Nash - News Director at WHUR 96.3FM Washington, DC
Garry D. Howard
October 8, 2015
She was an awesome Journalist who mentored the best of the best.
Garry D. Howard
Former Chairman NABJ Sports Task Force
amanda Fitzpatrick
October 8, 2015
Sidmel gave me my first internship in the business and always supported and encouraged me , so sad but God wants angels to. Praying for the family
Bill Ransom
October 8, 2015
Sidmel was a warm and giving person. One of my Heroes. She willed be missed.
Ted few
October 8, 2015
May God Look over your family as they celebrate your life.
S. M. DOUGLAS
October 8, 2015
My condolences to the family.
Nicole Adams
October 8, 2015
The Lord be with you and your family at this difficult time.
At this time of sorrow, may these truths sustain you... Your loved one will always be as close as a memory, and the God of all comfort will always be
Marilyn Mundy-Woods
October 8, 2015
Coco Bright
October 7, 2015
Rest in Peace my friend.
Hayes
October 7, 2015
People will truly miss Ms.Estes for the work that she has did for the community,Please accept my condolences,and my God,family and friends carry you through your grief.Ps.55:22
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