Estelle Rutland Vinson

Estelle Rutland Vinson, 87, of Kingwood, Texas passed away peacefully on Monday November 6, 2006 surrounded by her loving family. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held on Wednesday November 8, 2006 at 12:00 pm in the Sanctuary of Kingwood First Baptist Church, 2303 Tree Lane, Kingwood, Texas 77339. Estelle Vinson was born Estelle Phillips on July 28, 1919 in Wayne County, Mississippi. She was the oldest daughter of fourteen children born to Monroe Stanford and Colie Phillips. Estelle lived in rural Mississippi until adulthood. She lived in California briefly, then moved back to Laurel, Mississippi where she met her sweetheart B.B. Rutland. He always told her that he met a million dollar Baby in a five and ten cent store. They married in 1954 and soon after relocated to Houston, Texas. They were blessed with one son Byron on December 15, 1956. After Estelle became widowed in 1968, she worked as a seamstress, continued raising her son and was an active member of Riverview Baptist Church. Estelle later worked at Baylor College of Medicine as head receptionist in the Office of Student Affairs. Estelle moved to Lufkin, Texas in 1981 with her son’s family, where she lived with them and took care of her grandchildren and was known as “Gran” from then on. Estelle met G.C. Vinson in 1985 at the Senior Citizens Center where she volunteered. They were soon married, and he became “Pawpaw” to the grandkids. Estelle and G.C. followed Byron and Rhonda’s family to Kingwood, Texas in 1987 and that is where they both lived out their lives taking care of grandchildren Charis and Byron III and attending Kingwood First Baptist Church. G.C. passed away in 1989. Gran lived on in their home until Monday, November 6, 2006 where she passed away shortly after being diagnosed with cancer. In her later years Estelle enjoyed participating in widows and senior events at her church, traveling to Mississippi for family reunions, visiting with and bragging on her grandchildren, and caring for her beautiful roses. Gran was thrilled to attend the high school graduations of her grandchildren, Charis’ graduation from the University of Texas at Austin, and the final event that she attended prior to her death the wedding of Charis to Adam Pena. Estelle was among the most beautiful and sweet ladies of all time and she will be greatly missed. Gran is survived by her son Byron Rutland Jr. and his wife Debbie, her grandchildren Charis, Byron III, Mike, Ann, Scott & Nicki, and her eight beloved surviving brothers and sisters, Herman, Edna, Lucille, Lois, Frank, Lola Mae, Rudolph and Tommy. Gran will be joining many loved ones in heaven including her parents, husbands B.B. and G.C., and five brothers and sisters, Hazel Roe, Ozell, Neva, Esther, and J.B.