Estell

Dr. Lucile Estell, 94, of Rockdale was born on March 3, 1930 in Fort Worth to Hugh and Hat tie Lucile (Poole) Estell.

Lucile’s first honor was to be the f i rst baby born in the Harris Fort Wor th Meth odist Hospital. Many accolades followed.

The fami ly moved to Rockdale, where they lived with Lucile’s maternal grandparent, Mr. and Mrs.

Dr. Estell W.H. Poole, when she was two months old.

In 1937, the family moved to Rodessa, Louisiana, and remained there until Lucile graduated from high school in 1947.

Education was always impor tant to Lucile. She received her BA degree from East Texas Baptist University, her master’s from North Texas State University, and her doctorate’s degree from Texas A&M in Commerce. She also studied at the University of Colorado at Boulder, the University of Texas at Austin, UT Tyler and Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches.

Lucile began her teaching career in Mission in 1951. She moved back to Marshall to accept another teaching position.

In 1968, she moved into a public information officer and curriculum director position at the Region 7 education Service Center. She also taught in the history department of ETBU from 1975-1994.

Lucile was published in several magazines and authored four books. She was also an avid photographer.

Lucile retired in 1995 as the deputy director of the service center.

She returned to Rockdale, where she served as an interim assistant superintendent for a year.

Then she changed from a teacher to historian. She worked with the Texas Historical Commission and the Milam County Historical Commission, serving as chairman and also in other offices. Lucile is a member emeritus of the Milam County Historical Commission.

She received two prestigious awards from the Texas Historical Commission, the John Ben Sheppard Award for Leadership and the Ruth Lester Lifetime Achievement Award (highest honor before Governor’s Award).

Lucile was actively involved in bringing recognition of the El Camino Real National Trail to Milam County. She was instrumental in forming and served as chairman of the El Camino Real de los Tejas National Trail Association.

She was active in many other organizations. Some of these groups were TSTA, DKG, DAR, Rockdale Thursday Reading Club, Rancheria Grande chapter of El Camino Real de los Tejas, Linwood Acres Garden Club, and she was a member of First Baptist Church in Rockdale.

Surviving her are two nephews, Ken (Betty) Harris and Mike Harris. Also surviving her are two nieces, Judi Harris and Janette (Skip) Cross. Numerous great and great-great nephews and nieces also survive.

A memorial serves will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, at First Baptist Church in Rockdale.

Memorials may be made to El Camino Real, P.O. Box 41286, Austin TX 78704, or any historical organization in Milam County.