Estell (Shepard) Lawson

Services for Mrs. Estell Lawson, 70, of Jefferson, Texas, will be held at 2:30pm Saturday, August 30, 2025, at First Baptist Church in Vivian, Louisiana under the direction of Lewis & Walker Funeral Home of Jefferson, Texas.

Estell, affectionately known as Stell, was born July 20, 1955, and transitioned peacefully, surrounded by beloved family and friends August 20, 2025, at her home.

Estell Shepard was born on July 20, 1955, to Hezzie Shepard and Viola (McElroy) Shepard. She entered the world alongside her twin sister Stell Loreatha. At the age of fourteen, Estell gave her life to Christ. She joined Aberdeen Missionary Baptist Church and remained a faithful member. Her faith was the foundation of her life.

Estell received her education from North Caddo High School in the North Caddo Independent School District in Vivian, Louisiana. On November 2, 1974, she married Arthur Eugene Lawson and together they built a beautiful family centered around four God sent children. She poured her love, wisdom, and knowledge into them with the faith that one day they would continue the legacy for their own families.

Estell lived a life of dedication not only to her family but also to her work. She held many jobs throughout the years, each leaving its mark on her story. She began at Insulated Packing Company in 1976 and later spent more than 40 years at the Excelsior Hotel which became her second home. Along the way she also shared her talents at Tire Craft, Captain Castle Bed and Breakfast, Jordan Home Health, and Accent Home Health. Even after retiring from the Excelsior Hotel, her strong commitment brought her back to work with them in 2018 where she continued until her health began to decline.

Beyond her work, Estell found joy in life’s simple but rich pleasures, fishing peacefully by the water, cooking meals that brought family and friends together, and most of all giving generously to those around her. She was known for offering advice whether you were ready to hear it or not and her words always came from a place of love, wisdom, and honesty.

After an ongoing battle with cancer, Estell still continued to faithfully attend church,enjoy shopping, participate in family gatherings,and embrace life to the fullest.God called Estell home on Wednesday, August 20, 2025 from a job well done.

She is preceded in death by ten brothers Johnnie, Andrew, Richard, Tom Tanner, Oscar, Noah, Saul, Haskel, Jerry, Bobby Dean Sr., and three sisters Edith, Lady Shine,Irene.

Her memories and legacy will always be cherished by her husband Arthur Eugene Lawson, children Denise (Ausby) Starks, MacArthur (Latasha) Lawson, Cordell (Carleisha) Lawson, Ashley(Jecori) Morris, grandchildren Cornelius (Lakrisha) Zachery, Collius Zachery, Danielle Zachery, Avery Lawson, MacArthur Lawson Jr., Mahki Lawson, Jace Lawson, Chandler Else, Cameron Moses, Courtlynn Demery, great-granddaughter Lyric Zachery, siblings H.L. Shepard, Evie (Bob) Kidd, Mary Vera Bell, Eddie (Lolitha) Shepard, Lane Shepard, Archie Shepard, Stell Loreatha (Wilbert) Luster, Ilene (Willie) Rabb, Earlene Reliford, Elaine Butler, her two bonus daughters Hezzine Shepard aka “Young Legs” and Alisia (Robert) Smith and a bonus son Anthony Lawson. She also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, great great nieces, great great nephews, family, and friends.

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