HOUSTON, Texas—On June 27, 2015 Estella M. Foley Herman, surrounded by her family, passed into the arms of Jesus after 101 amazing years of life.
Born April 23, 1914 in Casey, Illinois to Etta and William Foley, Estella was the fourth of 12 siblings.
Raised in Indiana, she graduated from Princeton High School and married her high school sweetheart, Lloyd E. Herman, in 1937.
During WWII, as her husband fought in the South Pacific, Estella did her part for her country as she worked tirelessly in a factory that made equipment for combat aircrafts.
After the war they resided in Princeton, where they raised their family until 1962 when they moved to Houston, Texas.
Estella worked in the Spring Branch School District and also spent many years working as a nurse’s aide. She dedicated her life to loving and serving others.
Estella created pastel art, ceramics, and needlework. Her handmade crosses are treasured by many. The crosses were also sent to the military in combat zones and to the VA hospital.
Estella will be remembered for her kindness, her love of family, her humor and her legendary answer to the question, “How are you feeling Grandmom?”
“With my fingers.”
Estella is reunited in heaven with her husband of 71 years Lloyd Herman and their baby Alyn Brent, who died at birth.
She was also preceded in death by three sisters; Marie, Marjorie, Mary, six brothers; Floyd, Lewis, Jim, Ross, Kenneth, baby Foley and eight spouses whom she loved dearly.
She is survived by her children; Loyce Bodine of Cypress, Texas and Gregory Mark and Barbara Herman of Richmond, Texas and her two sisters Betty Speedy and Nita Utley of Evansville. Estella was a proud grandmother of seven grandchildren; Patrick, Micah, Christy, Angela, Andrew, Devin, Beth, and their spouses; 15 great-grandchildren; Brittany, Kelli, Haley, Alexis, Kara, J.J., Ashleigh, Isaiah, Aubrey, Kalvin, Jeremy, Astella, Jayden, Jackson and Hannah, as well as many nieces, nephews, other family members and dear friends.
Estella loved the Lord and His love shined through in all she did. She will be dearly missed.
Funeral services, officiated by her nephew, Rev. Tim O’Leary, were held in Houston on Thursday, July 2, 2015. Interment followed at Houston National Cemetery, where Estella was laid to rest with her husband.