Ruby "Mama Ruby" Estell

Services were held at St. John Baptist Church, with Pastor Anthony Harris, officiating. Arrangements were made by Warford-Walker Mortuary.

“Mama Ruby” was born in Cleveland, Texas to Betty Terry and Marcella Sanders. She moved to Amarillo, Texas in 1944. On August 23, 1948 she married Henry Estell. In February 1964 she adopted twin girls Debbie and Debra Estell. Ruby united with St. John Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend B.W. Lockett in 1964. Mama Ruby owned and operated the neighborhood ironing service for a number of years. She was a cook for Patton High School for a while and also worked in the hotel industry. She was a domestic worker for a number of years before she opened Mama Ruby Soulfood Cafe. The cafe served people from all walks of life including the local homeless to dignitaries from the business district of Amarillo. After she closed the cafe, Mama Ruby worked part time as a cook for Golden Spread Ready Mix. In 2005, she retired from cooking for good.

Mama Ruby was preceded in death by her husbands Henry Estell, Ventensil (Zeke) Toleston; great-grandsons Marcus Red and Isom Thomas. She is survived by daughters Debbie (Michael) Smith and Debra (Steve) Garver of Amarillo; granddaughters Amanda Smith and Makela (Luis) Vargas of Longbeach, California; Michelle Smith of San Antonio, Texas; LaShun (Tyrus) Clark of Cordova, Tennessee; Dameon (Kami) Thomas of Amarillo; a host of great-grandchildren; close family friends Esther Shoyinkn, Gwen (Joseph) Peterson, Chemika, Joseph (Angela) Peterson of Amarillo and a host of other relatives and friends.