Mrs. Nadine Mae Boothe Estes, 84, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at Cadence Assisted Living in Wake Forest, N.C.
Born on Aug. 2, 1941, in Chincoteague, Nadine spent most of her adult life in Wallops Island, where she built a legacy of faith and family.
Nadine was the beloved daughter of the late Charles Frederick “Cubby” Boothe and the late Lillie Mae Colona Boothe. She was preceded in death by her brother, Terrell E. Boothe.
She is survived by her three devoted sons: Douglas C. Estes and his wife, Noël, of Sarasota, Fla., and their children, Wyatt, Bridget, Violet, and Everett; Eric D. Estes and his wife, Morgan, of Fuquay-Varina, N.C.; and Jason F. Estes and his wife, Su-Anne, of Wake Forest, N.C., and their children, Hudson and Molly Wills.
She is also survived by her brother, Norman F. Boothe, Retired Senior Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Coast Guard, and his wife, Juanita, of Emerald Isle, N.C.; her sister, Mary Ann Boothe, of Menlo Park, Calif.; five beloved nieces; three beloved nephews; and a host of cherished family and friends.
A woman of steadfast faith, Nadine was a member of Union Baptist Church. She loved the hymns of George Beverly Shea, Gaither Vocal Band, and going to revivals. Her favorite psalm was Psalm 34.
After graduating as salutatorian from Chincoteague High School and completing work at Tennessee Temple, she dedicated over 13 years to public service as a civil servant across several leading NASA facilities, where she contributed to some of America’s most iconic achievements in space exploration — including the Mercury Program, Project Gemini, and the Apollo Program.
In 1983, she channeled that experience and vision into founding Wallops Executive Support Corporation (WESCO), serving as its president and chief executive officer from the corporation’s inception until her retirement. Under her leadership, NASA awarded WESCO the Management Education Center contract six consecutive times — a testament to the trust, excellence, and integrity she brought to everything she did. She was one of NASA’s longest-serving woman-owned contractors. The U.S. Small Business Administration honored her contributions with multiple awards, including a citation for corporate excellence.
Nadine was a trailblazer, a matriarch, and a woman of grace. She leaves behind a family who adored her, a community that respected her, and a legacy that will endure for generations.
Public visitation was held on Wednesday, April 1, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Salyer’s Funeral Home on Chincoteague Island.
A funeral service followed on Thursday, April 2, at 2 p.m. at Union Baptist Church on Chincoteague Island. Graveside services were held privately for the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made to Union Baptist Church in Nadine’s honor.
Services were entrusted to Salyer Funeral Home, Inc., on Chincoteague Island. Condolences may be made online at www.salyerfh.com
