Tabatha Kathleen Estes

Dimondale, MI

Tabatha Kathleen “Tabby” Estes was born July 24, 2000, at 5:06 a.m. at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. Tabby was only 4lbs 5ozs at birth and was born with Hypo-Plastic Left Heart Syndrome. Being so small, doctors only gave her 50/50 chance of surviving her 1^st open heart surgery. She went on to have 3 more open heart surgeries and many other procedures to keep her with us. Tabby passed away on Monday, July 6, 2026, at home in her sleep after fighting a declining battle with several medical issues.

Tabby was a vibrant, happy person with a smile that could light up the room. Those who knew her knew she was sassy and loved life.  Some of Tabby’s favorite things were enjoying food with friends, shopping and just hanging out. Tabby loved to eat and enjoy foods with strong flavors like spicy noodles and sour balls. She loved to dance and to sing. She was in musicals and choir in school. Tabby loved to cook. At one time she wanted to be a chef but decided that industrial kitchen equipment was “just too big.”  Tabby loved to swim and lay out in the sun, especially at her favorite vacation spot, Florida. Tabby also was an animal lover, especially her dog, Timmy, who was with her when she passed away. Tabatha overcame so many obstacles regardless of her size, including being able to work at McDonald’s for five years, at the local gas station in Dimondale and helping out at Angela’s Hair and Tanning in Dimondale. One of her catchphrases was “I’m small but mighty.”

Tabatha was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Marvin and Katherine Estes. She is survived by her parents, Ralph and Heidi (Hull) Estes; her sister, Tatum; her maternal grandparents, Edward and Pamela Hull; her aunts, Anna Estes, Heather (Troy) Sedore, and Holli (Justin) Bartaway; and her cousins, Seth Sedore, Jasmine, Amelia and Willow Bartaway.

Services for Tabatha will be held on Thursday July 9, 2026, at CP-Holt Church, 1705 N. Cedar Street, Holt, MI 48842 with visitation being 10a-11a, service from 11a-12pm with a luncheon to follow for those who wish to join. In lieu of flowers, you can make a donation to Make-A-Wish Foundation in Tabatha’s name.

A special thanks to Estes-Leadley Funeral Homes for making arrangements for our beautiful girl. She will be dearly missed.