John C. Maxwell, author, speaker, and pastor, is credited with the thought: “The happiest people are those who have invested their time in others.”

Estelle Pate Culler, who died May 9 at the age of 91, spent a good part of her life investing it in others, especially her family, church, and friends and neighbors.

Estelle was the daughter of Earl Mack Pate and Nervia Stevens Pate, a well-known family on Gap Creek. “Gap Creek had a special place in mother’s heart as that is where she grew up, lived, attended church, and worked for many years,” said her daughter Sonja Culler.

Many remember Estelle as the lady they paid their water bill to. She worked for several years as manager and bookkeeper of the South Elizabethton Utility. “Our living room was the office for the utility when it first started and for several years later. Customers came to our house to pay their water bills,” said Sonya.

Estelle was a “people person” who had a beautiful smile and laugh and enjoyed socializing. “Her favorite thing to do was visiting with friends and enjoying a cup of coffee. She always found time for people,” said Sonya.

Estelle attended Zion Baptist Church for a number of years, but for the past 40 years had attended Calvary Baptist Church in Elizabethton, where she taught the Adult Women’s Sunday School Class as long as she was able. “She was also a very good piano player, and was pianist at Zion Baptist when she attended there. She also played the piano for the Pate Brothers Quartet — her cousins. They used to sing at a lot of funerals,” said Sonya.

“Mom also enjoyed traveling. She had been to the Holy Land, and she especially enjoyed going to the beach. In her later years, she spent the winters in Wilmington, N.C., where my sister lives. That is where she was living when she died,” said Sonya.

“Mom was one of those persons who enjoyed staying busy. She sewed, gardened, and especially enjoyed reading. She read everything, but her favorite books were historical novels. She liked reading local history and learning new things about this area, and the people who settled here,” Sonya shared.

“She and my dad (Edward Ray Culler) had been married 63 years when he died in 2010. He, too, had taught Sunday School at Calvary Baptist as well as had served as a deacon. Both, he and my mom were very active in the church as long as they were able. Their church and faith were important to them,” said Sonya.

“Mother was a very talented person. She could do just about anything she set her mind to, and was always willing to help where there was a need. She had a loving and giving heart, and she never tired of learning,” Sonya said.

Estelle Culler was the mother of three children. In addition to Sonya, she was mother to Randy Culler and Sharon Culler Dixon. She also leaves behind six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Estelle was laid to rest May 13 in the Garland Cemetery in Limestone Cove.

Someone has written: “There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved.” If that is so, Estelle Culler knew and experienced real happiness, because for sure, she was loved. And, she lived to love.