Tara Estep Obituary

Tara Suzanne Estep

July 9, 1971 -

January 2, 2025

Tara Suzanne Estep was born on July 9, 1971, in Middlesboro, Ky and passed away at her home on January 2, 2025 following a fifteen-year battle with Parkinson's – never losing her faith in God's plan.

Tara was preceded in death by mother Suzanne Cavin Estep, maternal grandparents Onlie and Pauline Neal Cavin, and paternal grandparents Willard and Ruth Gilpin Estep.

Tara is survived by son Dylan Michael Williams and daughter Megan Shae Williams (fiancé Gabriel Fultz), father Terry Estep, and sisters Stacy Estep Munsey (Michael), Torry Estep Taylor (Scott), Sasha Estep Hixson (Andrew), and Teri Estep Dean (Derek) and nieces and nephews Lincoln, Henry, Grant, and Sutton Munsey; Willow Reese and Reed Taylor; Benjamin and Annabel Hixson, and Kieran Dean.

The first of five girls, Tara's giving nature carried into her chosen career. Tara was retired from the Lee County Public Schools where she served as a special education teacher before becoming principal at Elydale Elementary School. If you were lucky enough to be a student of hers, you know she was always your biggest advocate and never forgot you.

Tara was truly an example of Christian love and service. She was known for her kindness and compassion to others. Although her own health was declining for several years, she frequently took food and transported the sick always focusing on others instead of herself. If you were fortunate to call Tara friend, you know the size of her heart was unmatched.

Her love for the Lord remained steadfast throughout her life. Never allowing her health issues to hinder her, come rain, sunshine, or hail, she weathered the storms to regularly attend church with a determined heart to serve God in Christian fellowship and love.

She always saw the best in people and cared for others far more than herself. Most people with the diagnosis she received would have given up. Not Tara, her faith and determination only grew. Tara's trust in God was only matched by her love and devotion to her children. Dylan and Megan were truly her life and purpose. Her dog, Spooky, became her loving and constant companion.

A special thank you to Tara's Parkinson specialist, Dr. Jay Ferrara. Tara placed such trust in him that he continued her care from the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center in Louisville, Ky to his continuing practices in Roanoke, Va and Columbia, SC. Dr. Ferrara is the epitome of what a caring, compassionate doctor should be. The family is so grateful to her Special care givers and friends Kelley Krause-Kozak and Nicole Lemons. Also, thank you to Lisa Staley and Kathi Massengill.

Her sweet and enduring spirit will live on in the lives of her children and everyone she touched.

Visitation will be Tuesday, January 7, 2025 from 4-6pm, at The Praise and Worship Center, with the funeral to follow officiated by D.J. Wilder and Jody Moore. Burial will be Wednesday January 8, 2025 at Lee Memorial Gardens Park West at 11 am.

Pallbearers will be Gabriel Fultz, Michael Munsey, Scott Taylor, Andrew Hixson, Benjamin Hixson, Lincoln Munsey, Henry Munsey, and Derek Dean. Honorary pall bearers Grant Munsey, Reed Taylor, Kieran Dean, and Sutton Munsey.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Van Huss Grove Cemetery Fund or the Estep Family Cemetery in care of Farmers and Miners Bank 41526 West Morgan Ave., Pennington Gap, VA 24277.

Online condolences may be sent by visiting, www.RobinetteFuneralHomes.com. Robinette Funeral Home of Rose Hill is serving the Estep family.