Estelee M. Wood

It is with broken hearts we are announcing our dear mother, Estelee Wood, of Jackson, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at the home of her daughter, Catherine Gleason, in Lucas Texas. Estelee unwillingly surrendered to a battle against cancer.

Estelee was born in Sedgewickville, Missouri, on July 16, 1942, to Dale and Lucy Seabaugh, and she was the younger sister to L.D. Seabaugh. Estelee married Mike Wood on June 12, 1960. They had been married 60 years when Mike passed away August 1, 2020.

Estelee’s home was her haven, an idyllic location where she would listen to the music from the band shelter, wave at joggers and dog walkers in the morning, and watch the school’s cross-country runners in the park. Estelee thoroughly enjoyed planting and growing her daylilies and irises, and watching the dogwoods, lilac and hydrangeas bloom each year. This was her peaceful Shangri-la.

Estelee was known for her gift of gab and her relentless pride and promotion for Southeast Missouri. It showed in every aspect of her life. She advocated for Jackson and Southeast Missouri in every opportunity that presented itself and sometimes she created the opportunity to promote her hometown.

Estelee had many endeavors during her 83 years. Raising 4 girls, started her own successful business Wood’n Trunks, founder of the SEMO Scenic Drive, Realtor, advocating for the Silver Hair Legislature (SHL), volunteer for the Jackson 4th of July celebration, Historic Preservation Society and Uptown Jackson Historic District.

Estelee was a beloved mother, grandmother, daughter, niece and aunt.

Loving survivors include daughters, Cynthia Wood, Christine (Cliff) Watson, Catherine (Jim), Gleason, Cheralyn (Duncan) Ballantyne, all of Texas; grandchildren, Rachel and Rebecca Gleason, Aidan and Ryan Watson, all of the Dallas, Texas area; many nieces and nephews in the Jackson area, and the states of Kentucky, and Florida.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and a brother, L.D. (Rosa) Seabaugh.

Estelee and her family were especially grateful to her niece, Laura (Brian) Blankenship, and nephew, Kent Wood.

Visitation is from 11 a.m. to service time, Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson. The funeral is at 2 p.m., Wednesday, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Russell Heights Cemetery.

Estelee loved flowers, but for those considering a memorial contribution, the family suggests donations to the Steve Ford- Legacy Preservation Enterprise: https://www.legacypreservationenterprise.org.

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