Erelene Estes

Erelene Robinson Estes, age 73, of Troy, Alabama, passed away Monday, September 6, 2021, following a well-fought battle against Covid-19. A funeral service will be held Thursday, September 9, 2021, a 5 p.m. in the chapel of Green Hills Funeral Home with Pastor Keith Reynolds officiating. Burial will follow in Green Hills Memorial Cemetery with Todd Foss, Andrew Coggins, Danny Sleasman, Joe Johnson, Kenny Huckabaa, and Logan Huckabaa serving as pallbearers. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service at the funeral home. The service will be available to view livestream from the Green Hills Funeral Home Facebook page.

Erelene was born the second oldest of 13 children on a foothill farm in Pike County, Kentucky, where her callused, labored hands and the sweat beads rolling from her brow induced the sweetest harmony and catching country twang. She was living out the lyrics of Loretta Lynn’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter” and steadily plowing out her dreams of being a big star with every drop of her hoe. Erelene let her voice be heard and made her way to the stage performing with notable artists like Marty Robbins and Ralph Stanley, and even securing her own record deal in 1976. She ultimately chose family and a steady career, but did not let her musical talents waste. She strummed her guitar, wrote gospel songs, shared in praise and worship across local churches and nursing homes, and always rejoiced in the Lord.

Aside from music, Erelene had a knack for people, always appreciating the good in them, even when it was hard to see beneath their surface. She believed she could warm a soul with a little “Hill food” and there wasn’t much a pork chop smothered in gravy couldn’t fix. She loved adventure and exploration and rarely visited a yard sale or flea market without finding treasures for her grandchildren and friends. Erelene was generous, loyal, selfless, and kind. She let her light shine. She was love.

Ms. Estes is survived by her children, Teddy Ray Bryant (Amanda) of Troy, and Wendell Lee Estes of Bonifay, FL; grandchildren, Breanna and Braylon Bryant, Padraic, Havery, and Esther Lee; numerous nieces and nephews; and many beloved friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Ruth Cantrell Robinson; maternal grandparents, Shannon and Corey Cantrell; and paternal grandparents, John and Emiline Robinson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in her honor to the American Kidney Fund (11912 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852). Friends and family can sign the guestbook online at www.greenhillsfuneralhome.net. The staff of Green Hills Funeral Home is honored to serve the Estes family.