Joyce D. Estell

Joyce D. Estell, 96, formerly of New Castle, passed away on June 22, 2026 in Durham, NC. She was born on July 25, 1929 in Dandridge, TN, to the late George and Lena Grace (Rimmer) Bolden.

Joyce lived a long, full life, one that contained several lives within it.

For the majority of her working life, Joyce served in roles that were crucial for human communication in the early part of the 1900’s. As a young woman, she was a switchboard operator at the Mount Summit telephone exchange. It was the days of the party line.

From there, she went to The New Castle Courier Times, working as a receptionist and business advertiser. She retired after dedicating over 30 years at the newspaper.

In retirement, she worked part time at the Hats Off antique store in Knightstown, known by many antiquers in the area. In the Fall apple season, she worked with Rex and Patty, her friends and the owners of the Anderson Apple Orchard, where you could find her making donuts and serving apple cider to guests and customers.

As a woman and a mother, she endured both love and grief. Her first husband died just months before the birth of her son Edward. She was treated for and survived rheumatic fever in the hospital directly after his birth. In the years following, she remarried to Richard Estell and raised a family of 4 children with him: Edward, Gayle, Rick, and Cindy. Richard died in 1983.

Joyce also dedicated herself to the care of her own mother, Grace Bolden, as she aged. She cared for “Grandma B,” as she was called, until her mother’s death at the age of 94.

Joyce loved baking, antiques, gardening, and spending time with her many grandchildren. She could be found tending to tomatoes, baking cornbread, and having the children over for breakfasts full of biscuits, gravy, sausage, and fried okra. Her kitchen table was always full.

In her later years, Joyce continued to maintain her relationship with her years-long friends at the Courier Times, lovingly referring to them as “the old Courier women.” They met often for meals and outings together. She was also a member of the Bible Study Fellowship group for years. Her dedication to friendships as she aged was remarkable and an essential part of her health and longevity.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Ed Dunsmore, Gayle (Jeff) Cates, Rick (Gail) Estell, and Cindy (Tom) Koontz; grandchildren, Jessica Dunsmore Turco, Sarah Dunsmore, Shelly Miller, Courtney Sayre, Corey Cates, Rachael Estell, and Lance Koontz; 19 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Joyce was preceded in death by spouses, Earl Edward Dunsmore and Richard E. Estell; grandchildren, Lindsey Koontz and Phillip Estell; siblings, Louise Vannice, Gladys Roseberry, Mary Langston, Cecil Bolden, James Bolden, Roy Bolden, and Joe Eugene Bolden; and daughter-in-law, Judy Dunsmore.

The family would like to thank the staff of Rockbridge Senior Living Home and Duke HomeCare & Hospice of Durham, NC for the loving care they provided.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00pm on Monday, June 29, 2026 at Glen Cove Cemetery in Knightstown, with Mark Herbkersman officiating. Visitation will be from 12:00pm to 1:45pm on Monday, June 29, 2026 at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in Knightstown. Memorial contributions may be given to the Knightstown Public Library at 5 E. Main Street, Knightstown, IN 46148. You may express condolences or share a memory of Joyce at www.hinsey-brown.com.