Examples in my life

This is from "Get Cooped"newsletter. Our friend Teddy is a fitness trainer, motivational speaker, and has a family and works for EPA in DC. I met Teddy earlier this year, I liked him a lot, he was fun and loud, like me!
You'll see why I'm such a MiMi's girl!

The “Silver Fox” and his Bride

Throughout my life, a number of people have modeled a heart to serve others. One example is my dad Theodore Roosevelt Coopwood, Jr. He was precinct committeeman for over 40 years in Gary, Indiana and served the people in his precinct with passion and the heart of a lion. Other examples are my best friends from high school, Jim Watkins, Leonard Finley, and Xavier Johnson. Jim teaches and coaches at our alma mater Calumet High School in Gary; Leonard serves our country in the United States Army; and, Xavier spearheads an organization in South Georgia to help disadvantaged women start a new life. All of these people have modeled a servant’s heart. However, no one has illustrated a heart to serve like the late Dr. Don Estes, affectionately called “The Silver Fox”, and his wife Myrna.

Dr. Estes was and still is a legendary giant in the world of fish biology in the United States. Through his leadership and passion to seek out and encourage minority students to pursue careers in fish biology, several students like me had an opportunity to earn advanced degrees in fish science, and to develop successful careers with local, state and federal governments, and private organizations. In addition, Dr. Estes was instrumental in integrating fisheries into schools like Gambling, the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, and Southern University. He was also responsible for enhancing the outstanding fisheries program at Tennessee Technological University (TTU).

The foundation of his success was his heart to serve his students. The result of his love and care for us was a strong, thriving program. None of his students wanted to disappoint him; and based on the fact that thousands of students are now professionals because he directly or indirectly touched their lives, we didn’t.

His servant’s heart was apparent the first day I met him. After months of telephone conversations, he knew enough about me to know I was coming to TTU without much more than the clothes on my back. Upon my arrival, I learned he had worked with the university to secure a place for me to live and used his own resources to purchase a bed, sofa, table, and chairs so I would feel at home. He did all of this for me without having ever laid eyes on me. That is a heart to serve!

It’s been almost eight years since we lost Dr Estes due to complications from Parkinson’s. However, his passion to serve others still lives in the many lives he touched; and for those of us who called him friend, his spirit will forever be a part of who we are and who we are becoming - men and women of service.

After meeting Dr. Estes, I thought there would never be another person in my life that would offer such genuine care. I was wrong. The day I met Myrna, his wife, that notion was forever changed. Myrna Estes was and is a super woman. Because Dr. Estes was so intent on serving his students, Myrna was often asked to provide meals for 20 or more people with little notice. It was during these times that we saw what service truly looked like. It was magical how she could get to the store, buy the food, drive home, prepare the meal, serve appetizers and drinks, and still attend to each person as if they were the only one there. I still wonder how she did it, and more importantly, how she did it so often.

What was most impressive about Myrna was her attitude. She never complained, never stopped smiling and making each person feel like the most important person in the world. The more I watched her, the more I understood where Dr. Estes learned how to serve others. He was married to the master of service. She was without a doubt the source of strength that fueled his success and the success of so many of his students.

Today, Myrna remains the same. At the drop of a hat, she is there to serve those in need with love, and compassion, and a complete disregard for herself. Myrna Estes didn’t direct a college program, teach a college course, or mentor college students. Nonetheless, she taught so many of us the characteristics that are produced through serving others, such as kindness, trust, selflessness, excellence, integrity, and accountability. Myrna Estes may not have been leader in the classroom or in the field, but she was and still is a leader that we all should model.