Estella Rachel Cannon

Estella Rachel Cannon, a beacon of light and love in the lives of those who had the privilege to know her, gently passed away on February 21, 2025. Born on September 12, 1942, in Marvell, Arkansas, a daughter of the late Jake and Fyrmlee Cannon. Estella made her mark on the world with her boundless compassion and unyielding spirit. Maya Angelou once said, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Estella embodied this sentiment, leaving an indelible impact on every soul she encountered.
Stella, as she was affectionately known, was a shining light in the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her journey on this earth was one marked by love, compassion, and unwavering dedication to her family. Her passing has left a void in the hearts of her family, friends, and many more whose lives were touched by her. We ask that you remember her not for the way her life ended, but for the way it was lived, and for the profound impact it had on the lives of those who had the pleasure of knowing her. Stella had been confined to a wheelchair since 2004 but she greeted everyone with a wide beautiful smile.
She is survived by her loving son, Kevin Cannon. Her sisters: Doris Scaife and Gloria Lloyd (Hampton, Virginia), Jerrie Billingsley, Shirley Cannon, and Amanda Cannon (Austin, Texas), and Brenda Cannon (Diamond Bar, California). Her brothers (Austin, Texas): Thomas Cannon (Jessie), Roy Cannon, Calvin Cannon and Rory Dalvin Cannon. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jake and Fyrmlee Cannon; grandparents, Jacob and Estella Cannon and Curtis and Savannah Pike; two brothers, Clyde and James Cannon; and two sisters, Delois and Norma Jean Cannon. One niece, Velma Scaife and one nephew, Robert Billingsley II.
Stella's memory lives on with her nieces and nephews; Markis, Glenn, James, Reagan, Rodrick, Searcy, Robert, Sheneque, Jeremy, Dominique, Nicholas, Terry, Chris, Stephanie, Jerell, James, Jonothan and a host of grand nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She attended M. M. Tate High School, Marvell Arkansas where she was an excellent student. She graduated in 1962 and received a scholarship to Mary Holmes Junior College, West Point, Mississippi. After graduation she briefly moved to Kansas City, Kansas. Later she moved to Austin, Texas to be with her family after the family relocated to Austin from Marvell where her greatest joy, Kevin, was born in 1977.
She was a faithful member of Rosewood Avenue Baptist Church. She worked at St David Hospital until her medical condition forced her into retirement. Stella enjoyed her family and her cat, Kitty Girl.
Estella's life, a beautiful testament to the power of love and kindness, will be celebrated on March 14, 2025. A public visitation will be held at 10:00am CST at Rosewood Avenue Baptist Church, 1820 Rosewood Avenue, Austin, Texas. The funeral service will follow at 11:00am CST at the same location. Interment will take place at 1:00pm CST at Cook-Walden Memorial Hill Cemetery, 14501 North Interstate Highway 35, Pflugerville, Texas.
In honor of Estella's legacy, we invite all who knew her to share their memories and photos on her memorial page. In the words of Helen Keller, "What we have once enjoyed deeply we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us." By sharing your experiences, you keep Estella's love and kindness alive.