Ruby Dell Estlack

Services were held last week for former local newspaper publisher Ruby Dell Estlack, who passed away at home in Clarendon at the age of 94.

Mrs. Estlack died Friday, July 20, and services were held at the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon with Rev. Lloyd Stice, pastor, officiating and interment followed in Citizens Cemetery. Arrangements were by Robertson Funeral Directors.

Mrs. Estlack was born October 18, 1917, in Donley County to Oma Allen and Faye Tyree Scoggins. She married George Wayne Estlack on November 28, 1936, in Clarendon, where she spent most of her life. Ruby Dell loved playing the piano, at which she played by ear. She was a wonderful seamstress as well.

Ruby Dell spent most of her adult life working at The Donley County Leader. She began working at the Leader shortly after she married 1936, and she was assigned the job of collecting on accounts, which she did in person in order to improve goodwill between the paper and its customers. She later would take on the role of Society Editor as well before she and her husband became the paper’s sole owners in 1958. Together they were members holding various offices of both Texas and Panhandle Press Associations. The Estlacks sold the paper in 1974 but continued in the printing business with Clarendon Office Supply until the mid-1990s.

In 2011, she was inducted in the Panhandle Press Association’s Hall of Fame, an award she was very honored to receive.

“At the age of 19 when I married and became a member of the Estlack newspaper family, I never dreamed of seeing this day,” Ruby Dell recalled after entering the PPA Hall of Fame. “I found myself working in all departments of The Donley County Leader – except Linotype. The many years of newspaper publishing have been my way of life and most rewarding. I’ve been so blessed.”

Ruby Dell was a long time member of the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George Wayne Estlack, on June 10, 1994, and her sister, Dorothy Faye Whitlock.

Survivors include her daughter, Jackie Patterson of Canyon; granddaughter, Marcella Cropper of Fort Worth; her great grandson, James David Wilson of Fort Worth; her nephew, Lawrence Whitlock, of Arizona.

The family suggests memorials be sent to Citizens Cemetery Association, PO Box 983, Clarendon, Texas, 79226.