Estel Fletcher Cody

Estel Fletcher Cody, 82 went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, December 4, 2017. His final days were spent surrounded by family and friends who loved him dearly. Estel spent his life as a farmer, first on his parents’ dairy farm in the Mouse Creek Valley community and later as the full-time manager of Paradise Farms, a 400 acre farm in the Flint Springs community, owned by Norman S. Vaughn, raising Hereford cattle. In 1986, Estel managed his own farm in the Flint Springs community. In 2006, Estel was inducted into the Bradley County Agricultural Hall of Fame. Estel enjoyed helping his neighbors in any possible way or just providing fresh produce from his garden.
He also was part of Cody Builders, constructing or remodeling many homes in Cleveland and the surrounding area with his brother, Hershel and nephew Robbie Cody and good friend Gilbert Blackwell.
Upon graduation from Charleston High School, Estel married Violet Marie Sanders of Chattanooga, just celebrating 64 years together, and they raised three children. He was a member of the Ringgold Church of Christ.
Estel is preceded in death by his parents, D.D. and Ruby Cody; son, Randall Matthew Cody; sister, Mildred Cody Paul; and niece Brenda Paul White
Along with his wife, he is survived by his daughter Judy (Mike) Henderson and son Jeff (Twyla) Cody, both of Cleveland, Tennessee; siblings, Gilbert (Gincy) Cody, Hershel (Beverly) Cody and Hazel Cody Duggan, all of Cleveland; brother-in-law, Jerry (Judy) Sanders of Rossville, Georgia; sister-in-law, Mary Jo Sanders of Nashville, TN; daughter-in-law, Cheryl Watkins Cody Plemons of Chattanooga; special nephew, Robbie (Shelli) Cody of Cleveland; grandchildren: Andy (Kate) Henderson of Weston, Mass; Joseph David “JD” (Emily) Henderson of Salida, Colorado; Tabitha (Bryant) Williams of Ringgold, Georgia; Randi (Zach) Green of Dalton, Georgia; Levi Cody of Atlanta, Georgia; and Tia (Heath) Cooley of Cleveland, Tennessee; six great grandchildren: Cody, Eli, Caymon, Kane, Graylyn, River, Jack and Alex; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Visitation will be Wednesday, December 6 from 11 am to 2 pm in the Companion Funeral Home Chapel in Cleveland. Funeral service will be at 2 pm with Pastor Mike Gurganus officiating and interment will follow in the Hillcrest Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Levi Cody, Bryant Williams, Zach Green, Heath Cooley, Charles Hannah and David Hannah. Honorary Pallbearers are Dr. Bob Frady, Jim Mitchell, Leo Whaley, LeBron Conley, Gilbert Blackwell, and Terry McDougal.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, 6221 Shallowford Road #102, Chattanooga, TN 37421. The family would like to thank the staff of Tennessee Oncology, Tennova Infusion Team, and Kindred Hospice in Cleveland for their care. You are invited to share a personal memory of Estel or your condolences with his family at his online memorial located at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral and Cremation Service and the Cody family are honored to assist with these arrangements.