Estha Fitch Nowlin

Estha Fitch Nowlin, of Tyler passed away on October 22, 2011 following a lengthy battle with cancer. Mrs. Nowlin, 85, was born August 12, 1926, in Shreveport, LA. to the late Charles Wesley and Bertie Mae Seabaugh Fitch. Mrs. Nowlin was preceded in death by her beloved husband, I. E. "Ed" Nowlin on April 18, 2003. She was the youngest child of a large family. All of her brothers and sisters also preceded her in death. She is survived by a number of nieces, nephews and friends. Mrs. Nowlin was a very dynamic woman who was a beginner in the Women's Liberation movement before there was such a program. She began work at a young age as a courier of messages at the Quartermaster Depot in Fort Worth. Mrs. Nowlin was one of the first women managers at Allstate Insurance in the Houston office in 1953. After several years of working in public life, she decided to try being a full-time housewife. She later admitted that it wasn't exactly her cup of tea but that she really enjoyed being able to spend more time with her husband, Ed. In 1969, an opportunity for advancement for Ed resulted in their move to Tulsa. They had over 37 wonderful years in Tulsa, enjoying their home, entertaining and travel. They also became very involved with their church, First Presbyterian Church of Tulsa. Estha always wanted to volunteer, so she became involved in the Juvenile Detention Center in Houston, American Red Cross, American Heart Association, Miss Oklahoma pageant and worked with Family Court in Tulsa. After her husband's death, she volunteered with Hospice in Tulsa to pay forward the excellent care they received during Ed's lengthy illness. After the move to Tulsa, Estha volunteered with the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. She began a 20 year effort to lead Presbyterian Women, Synod of the Sun, to become better leaders in their lives with their family, church and friends. Upon her retirement, the PWSCT set up a scholarship fund in Estha's name to help young women of the Presbyterian Church attend college. In 2005, Estha began to consider a move to Texas in order to be closer to some of her family. She decided that Tyler would be a good place to spend her later years. Estha moved in March of 2006. She spent many happy hours there and made many wonderful friends. She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew and loved her. A memorial service will be held on Nov. 15, 2011 at 2 p.m. at The Hamptons at Greenridge, 4200 Old Omen Road, Tyler, TX. Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011 at 1 p.m. at Rose Hill Cemetery in Fort Worth, TX In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, TX 75701 or the charity of the donor's choice. Arrangements: Caudle-Rutledge Funeral Directors, Lindale,Texas 903/882-3141 www.caudle-rutledge.com

Estha Fitch Nowlin

August 12, 2026 - October 22, 2011