Stephanie Estes Arnold

Stephanie returned home on Wednesday, July 14, 2021. She finished her long battle with cancer and won the victory of an eternal home and rest.
Stephanie was born in Lubbock, Texas on January 27, 1962 to Jack and Iris Estes.

Stephanie knew that she wanted to be a teacher from the time she had Mrs. Stewart as her first grade teacher at East Elementary School in Batesville, Arkansas. Even in those younger years she wanted to help people. She was so proud to be on the safety patrol in elementary school just helping kids across the street. Later she learned to play the clarinet and was in band throughout high school and even some while in college. In high school, she was a flag corps captain in the Midland High School band, graduating in 1980. While in high school and during college, she worked at Kandy Kane Day Care in Midland and enjoyed her time working with kids.

She went to Lubbock Christian to get her Elementary Education degree, graduating in December 1983. She then received her Kindergarten certification from Texas Tech in the spring of 1984. While at college in Lubbock she started dating Bruce in Midland and they were married on July 6. 1984. She found her place as a Kindergarten and 1st grade teacher at Midland Christian School and taught there until taking a break from teaching in 2007 and worked at the Life Center for a time because she saw that she could help people and felt she was needed. While at the Life Center she was able to help many and minister them. She eventually returned to MCS as a 2nd Grade Teacher and remained there as long as she possibly could. After her cancer returned last year, she found the strength to keep teaching and when she could no longer teach, she wanted to still be involved at MCS. She never gave up and never said quit. Until recently she would only say that she would need to figure out what August would look like for her returning to school. She taught a total of 26 years at MCS.

She always looked for God in every situation, every time and more than that, she could find Him. Most always she would point Him out to others so they could see Him too. She also never wanted anyone to be alone or left out which is a wonderful combination for a servant. Her life touched so many people whether they were a child or an adult. She never wanted recognition of her accomplishments but seemed to always deflect those to someone else or for another purpose. Her family and her students were of utmost importance to her and she would be a fierce advocate for both. God was always at the forefront of any relationship and reliance was on Him.

She is survived by her parents. Also by her husband, Bruce Arnold of Midland, Texas; daughter, Katie Brannon and her husband Chad of Odessa; two grandchildren, Trustin and Brennan Clayton; daughter, Abbie Simpson PAC and her husband Sean Simpson, M.D. of Lubbock, Texas; brother, Randy Estes and his wife Lisa of Goddard, Kansas. She also has many nieces and nephews.

Memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, July 23, 2021 at Golf Course Road Church of Christ.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.