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Sportswriter Estes dies at 84
Published Monday, September 24, 2007
NATCHEZ — Retired sportswriter Glenvall Estes died early Sunday morning after a long bout with illness.
Estes, 84, wrote sports news and columns for The Natchez Democrat from 1947 until 2004, spanning three generations in a 57-year run that saw him elected president of the Mississippi Sportswriters Association, inducted into the Mississippi Sportswriter’s Association Hall of Fame and honored by the Miss-Lou Chapter of the National Football Foundation College Hall of Fame.
His “Just Talkin’” column was noted for its conversational style, and former Democrat sportswriter Joey Martin said that was what made it unique.
“We once had a sports editor who made the mistake of trying to edit Glenvall’s column,” Martin said. “Glenvall was thinking maybe it was time he stopped writing, but the publisher made sure that wasn’t going to happen. He knew the large following Glenvall had and had a talk with the sports editor.”
And, Martin said, the sports editor never tried to edit Estes’ column again.
Former professional football player Joe Fortunato said he met Estes through sporting events in the area, and said Estes was well liked.
“He was a heck of a sportswriter,” Fortunato said. “He certainly wrote a lot of good articles when I was playing for the Chicago Bears.”
Even in the later years, Estes was a throwback to an older kind of sportswriter, said Martin, who is now the sports editor at The Concordia Sentinel.
“He would sit at a typewriter and pound out his column on it,” Martin said.
Another attribute that marked Estes was humility, Martin said.
“Every time he would walk in he would hold out his column and say, ‘Here’s this old country piece of junk,’” he said. “We would always laugh because it was something the readers would look forward to every week.”
“I don’t believe Glenvall knew the impact he had on the area,” Martin said.
“He was a joy to be around.”
Estes served in the Navy during World War II, and also worked at Armstrong Tire and Rubber Co. for many years in addition to writing for The Natchez Democrat.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church in Natchez, and burial will follow at the Natchez City Cemetery.
Comments
Posted by CP (anonymous) on September 24, 2007 at 6:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by Preacher (anonymous) on September 24, 2007 at 9:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We all look at life from a unique perspective. Thanks Glenville for sharing yours with us. You will be missed.
Posted by lambchop (anonymous) on September 24, 2007 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I've known Glenvall most of my life and during my short tenure in the newspaper business. He was well liked by everyone and always came in with that winning smile of his. I have missed seeing that smile but know the Lord is smiling doubly this morning as his child has come home to rest. God bless the family during this period of mourning and celebration.
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on September 24, 2007 at 3:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Services for Thomas Glenvall Estes, 84, of Natchez, who died Sunday, September 23, 2007, at Adams County Nursing Center will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church with Dr. Judson W. Hurt officiating. Visitation will be at the church from 9:30 a.m. until service time. Burial will follow at the Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home. Glenvall Estes was born on April 7, 1923, in Natchez, MS, the son of Calvin and Irene Pittman Estes. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy in World War II and worked for Armstrong Tire and Rubber Co. for thirty years, the Mississippi Highway Department for 8 years and was Adams County Tax Collector for thirteen years. During these years he was also a Sports Writer for the Natchez Democrat for 57 years while writing a weekly column called “Just Talking”. He never wrote anything critical of the athletes. He served as President of the Mississippi Big Eight Sportswriters Association, President of the Mississippi Tax Collectors Association, was a Heisman Trophy Voter, and was named a member of the Mississippi Sportswriters Hall of Fame. Glenvall was a member of the First Baptist Church of Natchez where he was named Deacon Emeritus. He was also a Mason. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Charles Eugene Estes, a granddaughter, Hailey Elizabeth Estes, and two brothers, Herman C. Estes and David Estes. Mr. Estes is survived by his wife of 68 years, Lorene Lauderdale Estes, four sons, Tom (Fran) of Macon, GA, Donald (Cathy) of Natchez, Billy (Phillys) of Memphis, Terry (Paula) of Natchez, one daughter, Jeanne Estes of New Braunfels, Texas, two brothers, Billy (Cherry) Estes of Mt. Hermon, LA and Howard (Claire) of Fayette, MS, two sisters, Kathy (Joe) Nunnery of Vidalia, LA and Debbie (Billy ‘Porky’) Smith of Natchez, MS. He is also survived by grandchildren, Carol Ann (Bill) Bustin, Michael (Kristi) Estes, Robert Estes, Stephanie (George) Forbes, David (Kim) Estes, Lillian (Scott) Reed, Kelly (Eddie) Butler, Jennifer (Jody) Nix, Shane (Tabatha) Johnson, Lana (Geoghegan) Clarke, Brett (Lindsey) Estes, 20 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Allen Brown, Paige Cothren, Joe Fortunato, Fred Foster, Chuck Gilbert, and Virgil Jackson. Honorary pallbearers will be the Hammack Men’s Sunday School Class and Deacons of First Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial be made to First Baptist Church, 150 D’Evereaux Drive, Natchez, MS 39120 or The Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, Ill. 60601-7633. The family would like to thank the staff at Magnolia House, Promise Hospital, Adams County Nursing Center and Dr. Barry Tillman for their care, patience and support during Mr. Estes’ long illness.
Posted by CP (anonymous) on September 25, 2007 at 8:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Having known Glenvall for most of my life I have to say he was one of the finest men I have ever met. Not to many years ago we would get together at McDonald's and have coffee early in the morning. In the years he was writing for the Democrat, I always looked forward to his columns. He was one of the most postive people I have ever met. He will never be forgotten.
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