Ira “Baby Shame” Lee Estes, 93

July 17, 1932 – December 23, 2025

A Service of Homegoing will be celebrated at Wayman AME Church, 424 N. Memorial Dr.,  Racine, WI 53404, on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 10:30 am with Pastor Thomas Poole officiating.

A memorial luncheon will follow.

Viewing will be in Wayman AME Church on Saturday, January 3, 2025, from 9:00 – 10:30 am.

Mr. Ira Lee Estes, 93 years young, affectionately known to many as “Baby Shame”, passed away on December 23, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

One of 10 children born to the late William and Henretta (nee: Thompson) Estes, Ira was brought into this world on July 17, 1932, in New Albany, Mississippi. After graduation from Union County Training School/BF Ford in New Albany, Ira was drafted into the United States Army where he faithfully served during the Korean War. After being honorably discharged, Ira moved to Racine, WI in 1958.

In March 1962, he was united in marriage with Delphia Kirkwood. They later divorced. Ira was quite the talented pipefitter at AMC / Chrysler for many, many years until he retired.

With a profound faith in God, Ira was a proud member of Wayman AME Church where he faithfully volunteered and served in various capacities including trustee and usher. He was also active with the United Ushers Assn. where he served as State Of Wisconsin Board President. Outside of family, church and work, Ira was a sports enthusiast of all sorts. He also remained busy with helping family and friends file their taxes. Ira enjoyed a good game of cards, watching Family Feud, caring for his daughter’s homes and his home – especially yardwork.

Surviving are his daughters, Debra Estes-Booker, Gwendolyn (Wendell) Barry, Jan Estes, Mary Ann McWilliams and Gloria McWilliams; a host of adored grandchildren including special grandchildren, Shanice White and Darius Booker; many great-grandchildren including special great-grandchildren Franklin White Jr. and Ayana Banks; sisters, Sarah Alexander, Betty (Haves) McNeal and Mary (Troy) Edwards; special companion, Ms. Lillie Cameron; and sister-in-law, Nora Lee Estes;  numerous nieces and nephews, some who often referred to him as their favorite uncle, church family and friends – too numerous to mention all by name.

In addition to his parents, Ira was preceded in death by his sons, Ira L Estes and Larry W Estes; brothers, Eugene “EJ” (Erma), Clarence, Troy, Roy, Clyde (Ernestine) and Odice Estes; brother-in-law Paul Alexander  and special brother-in-law, Floyd James (Annie Bell) Kirkwood.

Following, Ira will be transported to his hometown of New Albany, MS, where services will be entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home. Ira will be laid to rest in New Albany Cemetery.

A heartfelt note of thanks to Dr. Niraj Shah, Dr. Dajun Wang, the entire ER, ICU and Med/Surg staff of Aurora Medical Center Mount Pleasant; faithful caretakers, Thyme Cameron and Jasmine Carslick; barbers Earl Booker Jr and Terry Gunn, and to Ira’s former spiritual leaders and longtime friends, Pastor Ernest Ni’A and Reverend Lawrence Terry. May God continue to bless all of you!

Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.

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Viewing

Saturday
January 3, 2026
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Wayman AME Church (424 N. Memorial Dr., Racine, WI, 53404)
424 N. Memorial Dr.
Racine, WI 53404

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Service of Homegoing

Saturday
January 3, 2026
10:30 AM
Wayman AME Church (424 N. Memorial Dr., Racine, WI, 53404)
424 N. Memorial Dr.
Racine, WI 53404