Estaline Cartwright

Estaline Cartwright, 99, passed away Tuesday, March 31, 2020.  Private family services will be held.

Estaline Cartwright was born in Vaughan, Texas, on June 9, 1920. She had been a lifelong member of the Vaughan/Abbott/Hillsboro community. She returned to her heavenly Father, joining the loved ones she so dearly missed on March 31, 2020. As a lifelong member of the Vaughan Baptist Church, she shared countless Sunday dinners with the pastors and their families. From childhood, she was given the gift of music, playing the piano for the Abbott Graduations and weekly Sunday church services. Estaline was noted for writing and setting to music the Abbott School Song, “Abbott High”. She attended Vaughan School, Abbott High School, and Hill College. She worked for the local phone company, Waco Power & Light, was President of the Abbot PTA, Sunshine Club, Secretary of the Vaughan Cemetery Association, Tour Director for Traveling Texans out of Dallas, and Secretary of Chat Water Supply. Most of all, Estaline will be remember for her love of conversation with friends and neighbors. She was always willing to share a homemade pie, cake or ice cream over the kitchen table. Growing lovely roses, gardening, canning, quilting, sewing, and playing the piano were only a few of her talents. In her lifetime, she traveled throughout almost every state in the United States including Alaska and Hawaii, parts of Europe, the Caribbean, and the Holy Land. In the early days of WW II, Estaline married Holland Woodruff of the Aquilla community. Shortly thereafter, he was killed instantly in a car wreck, leaving her with life changing injuries. She later married Cloyed Cartwright upon his return from World War II. They farmed just 2 miles from her childhood home near Vaughan. Her devoted brother Elmer, cared for Estaline after Cloyed’s death in 1955. Estaline will be buried beside her husband Cloyed at the Ridge Park Cemetery in Hillsboro. Estaline was preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Essie Foster, brothers, Elmer Foster and Norris Foster, and her husband Cloyed Cartwright. She is survived by her daughter, Cloylene Kelm and two grandchildren, Melissa Kelm Tucker and Jerry Dale Kelm Jr. She was also blessed with 4 great- grandchildren: Aubrey and Greta Tucker and Allen and Kylie Kelm.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be given instead to Vaughn Cemetery, Vaughan Baptist Church, or your favorite charity. The family would like to thank those at the West Rest Haven for their support and care during Estaline’s final days.

A celebration of Estaline’s life will be held at a future date.