Lathonia (Latonia) Norman Estes was born December 3, 1930, to Roy Norman and Pearl (Hunt) Norman in rural Tyler, Texas, Smith County. Roy and Pearl had five children, one boy, and four girls.
After her father’s death, Lathonia moved to Fort Worth, Texas, where she was raised as the daughter of her Dad’s brother, Augustus (Gus) Norman, and Gus’ wife Josephine Burroughs Norman, and as a sister to his daughter, Grace. She was reared in the now Paradise Baptist Church and baptized by the late Reverend J.F. Singleton.
Lathonia attended Carver Elementary and Junior High School. She graduated from the historic I.M. Terrell High School. After finishing high school Lathonia was employed at The Fair Dept Store on 7th Street. While there she saw President and Mrs. Kennedy as they went by in an open car parade down 7th Street.
She attended the now Tarrant County College receiving an Associate’ s Degree in Business and later graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) with a Bachelor of Social Work. During her career, she worked for The Fort Worth Housing Authority, was a medical secretary for Dr. A.A. Griffin, and worked for the Fort Worth Public School District.
Lathonia joined Beth Eden Baptist church in 1982 and remained a faithful member. She raised her children in the church, served in the kitchen, and was the oldest-serving member of the Seniors On The Move Ministry. She gave her income to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the AARP Foundation, Tarrant Area Food Bank, and Beth Eden Church.
Her first marriage ended in divorce. Later she met and married Clarence V. Estes, Sr. They were married for 49 years. She was widowed at his passing. She was the mother of five children.
Preceding her in death, husband Clarence V. Estes, Sr., daughter Cynthia Harris, and infant son Gerald W. Estes, Linda Lee Estes (wife of Clarence V. Estes, Jr.). Parents Roy Norman, Pearl Hunt-Mosley, Augustus, and Josephine Burroughs Norman. Siblings, Salena A. Norman, Roy Norman, and sister-in-law Marilyn Norman.
Those left to cherish her memories are her children, Janice Estes, Clarence V. Estes Jr., and Terence (Teri) Estes-Hightower (David). Eight grandchildren, Marcus (Shondi), Kirk Jr. (LaTonia), Katherine and Damon Harris, Karmin-Tia and Coli Greer, Taylor and Miles Estes, and 14 great-grandchildren. Sisters, Anna Ward, Viver Loving, and sister-in-law Marie Lewis (Clifton), I3 great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Friends Connie McGowan, Leola Williams, Seniors On The Move, and Church Family.
