Maria "Ester" Estrella (Academia) Carmack

Maria “Ester” Estrella Carmack nee Academia of Steelville, MO was born on Saturday, January 12, 1952 to Faustino Torres Academia and Nacy (Daan) Academia.  She passed away at her daughter’s home in Lake St. Louis, MO on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 at the age of 68 years, 3 months and 9 days.

Ester was born and raised in Cebu City, Philippines where she went to school and later attended school for tailoring.  She met Robert Gene Carmack, Sr. while he was stationed in the Philippines and they later married on March 10, 1972 in Olongapo City, Philippines and to this union two children were born.  Ester worked as a cook at Kelly’s and Voss Truck Port in Cuba and the Huzzah Club in Steelville.  She later worked at Tacony Manufacturing in St. James, MO.  She attended First Apostolic Church of Cuba, MO.  Ester was a sweet lady who lit up every room she walked into.  She loved cooking, was a nurturing woman who loved caring for and feeding people.  Most of all, Ester loved her family, especially her grandkids.

 She was preceded in death by her parents Faustino Sr. and Nacy Academia; parents-in-law William and Ruth “Jeanette” Carmack; siblings Zenith (Maurice) Ross, Roland Academia and 3 other infant siblings; brothers-in-law Steve Carmack and Donald Turnbough.

She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Robert "Bob"Carmack, Sr. of Steelville, MO; children Robert "Rob" Carmack, Jr. (companion Rachael Harris) of Cuba, MO and Chanda Carmack (fiance Ronald Boggs) of Lake Saint Louis, MO; 5 grandchildren Landon Alexander of Virginia Beach, VA, Emelia Blair of Levelland, TX, Nicholas (Abigail) Lunsford of Ft. Gordon, GA, Raquel Carmack and Chella Carmack both of Brownfield, TX; 2 great grandchildren Brielle Blair and Corbin Blair both of Levelland, TX; siblings Jean (Telles) Flores of Pflugerville, TX, Ligaya (Bill) Hicks of Waddellville, AZ, Amy Academia, Marites Duero, Zerick Academia and Faustino Academia, Jr. all of the Philippines; brother-in-law William "Bill" (Kathy) Carmack of Lafayette, IN and sister-in-law Barbara Turnbough of Davisville, MO; nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

Private Visitation and Funeral was at Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, MO with Pastor Michael Stephens officiating on Monday, April 27, 2020. Burial was at Schwieder Cemetery, Steelville, MO.  Service was live streamed on Hutson Funeral Home in Steelville, MO’s Facebook page.  Memorials were suggested to the funeral home to help with final expenses.  

All arrangements under the care of Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, MO.

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