Estelle Winn Echols

1921 - 2022

Our world dimmed – but heaven brightened - with the death of our mother, Estelle Winn Echols, on October 4, 2022 at Westminster-Canterbury of the Blue Ridge (WCBR). She was 96 years old. We thought and hoped that she would live forever.

She was born in El Dorado, Arkansas in 1921 to Alene Manneschmidt and Malcolm Payne Winn. Her mother died due to complications from childbirth, and Estelle moved to Covington, Va. as a young girl to be raised by her paternal uncle and aunt, Thomas and Violet Winn. She had an idyllic childhood in the small town. After struggling academically her first semester – she would often say that she was totally unprepared for college - she graduated from Randolph Macon Woman's College (now Randolph College) with a BS in chemistry after only three years! She was a member of Kappa Delta sorority.

She met Ernest V. (Tim) Echols on a blind date. He proposed after only three months, and she turned him down – she claimed that she was waiting for a bigger ring. He persisted – and produced a larger ring! - they were married in 1947 at Lee Chapel in Lexington, Va. when she was not yet twenty-one – she had to get permission to get married. They lived in Virginia and West Virginia before settling in Charlottesville in 1953.

Once in Charlottesville, Estelle devoted herself to her growing family and a wide array of volunteer and civic activities. She was member of the University League (now the Junior League), the Girl Scouts, the Rivanna Garden Club, the Colonial Dames, and the DAR. She was active at Martha Jefferson House, and was involved in establishing the Senior Center (now the Center), and was an ardent supporter of the organization for decades.

She had an inspiring Christian faith, and believed strongly in service to others. After being raised a Baptist, she became a member of Christ Episcopal Church upon her arrival in Charlottesville, and served on the vestry, the altar guild and as a Sunday school teacher among other activities. She was given the honorary title of Trustee in appreciation for her many years of service. Until the outbreak of Covid, she rarely missed a week at church for almost seventy years.

Above all else, Estelle was the epitome of the southern lady. She believed in good manners, appropriate attire (no slips showing!), the importance of flowers for any occasion, family, conversation, and perfect hair – not necessarily in that order. She was game for anything, and was an easy and fun companion.

She was predeceased by her husband of sixty-two years, Ernest, her half-sister, Lila Fiddler, and her daughter, Sherrie W. Echols. She leaves behind three children: Randi E. Carr, Anne E. Townsend (Jay), and Ernest V. (Mike) Echols (Robin); there are also six grandchildren and nine great grandchildren who lovingly called her "Gromom".

A special note of appreciation must be extended to the associates and administrators of Catered Living at WCBR. Their loving care and compassion were an amazing gift to our mother and our family.

A funeral service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church, 120 W. High Street, Charlottesville, VA on Friday, October 14, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. Wear something pink. Please respect Covid protocols, and if you feel unwell, do not attend!

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Christ Episcopal Church, 100 W. Jefferson Street, Charlottesville VA 22902, the Center at Belvedere, 540 Belvedere Blvd., Charlottesville, VA 22901, or to a charity of your choice.