Benny Mack Estes

Benny Mack Estes, aged 68, died Wednesday, February 27th in Delta Memorial Hospital. He was preceded in death by his parents, Maxine Brown and Dewey Estes and by his siblings, Betty Jane Champion and Danny Brown. Benny graduated from Fordyce High School in 1962 where he was named as an high school All American and from the University of Arkansas with a BSBA in 1966. While at the University he played football until a life threatening brain injury requiring surgery ended his career. However, he remained on scholarship and assisted Coach Wilson Matthews with practice responsibilities. In 2011 he was named to the Dallas County Sports Hall of Fame. Benny had a highly successful insurance career, achieving lifetime membership to Million Dollar Round Table. He served on the AR Blue Cross-Blue Shield state agent advisory board and was a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. Very active in community affairs, Benny served over 30 years on the Delta Memorial Hospital board of directors and was chairman during the fundraising and building of the new Delta Memorial Hospital. He was also a member of the Dumas Chamber of Commerce and a member of the board of directors of Merchants and Farmers Bank. As a member of First United Methodist Church, Benny served in numerous positions and was a member of the Men's Bible Class where he served two terms as president. He was also an active member of Main Street Dumas, the Walnut Lake Country Club, the Arkansas Arthritis Foundation, and the Dumas Hunting Club. Benny is survived by his wife of 47 years, Jean Garner Estes, his son, Jeff Estes (Charlotte) of Madison, Miss., and his daughter, Elizabeth Hudson (Bubba) of Tillar, four grandsons, Burke and Bennett Estes of Madison and John Christian and Peyton Hudson of Tillar. He is also survived by one sister, Margaret Lofgren (Rick) and one sister-in-law, Nancy Wood of Little Rock. Visitation will be Friday, March 1, 2013 from 5-7 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall and Memorial Service Saturday, March 2, 2013 at 2 p.m. also at First United Methodist Church in Dumas, Ark. with Rev. Tandy Hanson officiating. Memorials may be made to Delta Memorial Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 887, Dumas, Ark. 71639, or to First United Methodist Church, 230 Court Street, Dumas, Ark. 71639.