Born to Joseph Monroe Estes, a farmer, and 3rd wife, Nancy Margaret Tyler Estes, a country midwife, in rural Hickman Co., TN. He helped supplement the large family's income by selling "corn liquor", occasionally "busted" while tending the still. After one such "bust", he was taken to the "big city", where a bemused Nashville journalist wrote a feature article on this country youth's culture shock and wonder at modern conveniences, including his inaugural elevator ride. He soon abandoned his moonshine enterprise, and settled down with pleasingly plump, rosy-cheeked, and curly-haired Bessie Smith, who'd been raised in both Smith & Davidson Counties. They married in 1933, and he farmed a bit (vegetables, chickens, hogs), but also worked on the TN Central R.R., as a laborer, putting down roots in the Scottsboro/Jordonia/Bell's Bend rural-suburban area of Nashville. He & Bessie had four children by birth: Hubert Davie (1933-2006), Herbert Monroe (1936- ), Anna Margaret Charlene (1938- ), Joyce Modene (1940- ), and stillborn twin boys. Foster son Steve Johnson made five permanent offspring they raised. He gave up the alcohol that had plagued his home life in the early 1950's, when he became a christian. Millard & Bessie even offered up the large victorian home they were leasing, as a meeting place for a Baptist "mission church". After retiring from the railroad, he enjoyed tending his chickens & hogs, growing a big summer garden, hunting w/ dog Rusty, watching his daytime "stories", and serving Scottsboro Baptist Church as a deacon. Having left school in the early elementary grades to work on the family farm, he treasured his "class ring"-like gold deacon's ring, and his R.R. pocket watch. At home, he wore overalls, but liked to dress up nice for church. In the late 60's, he was able to travel for pleasure for the 1st time, going to Florida w/ 2nd son, Herbert, & his wife, nearly losing both his teeth and swimming trunks when overtaken unexpectedly by a wave! No matter. As he aged, mellowed, and accumulated grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he enjoyed a good sense of humor about life. An "FDR Democrat" & staunch union supporter, he cast his final ballot for Bill Clinton in the fall of 1992. He passed away from heart disease at Baptist Hospital in Nashville, less than 6 months later. He & Bessie are buried in his hometown of Lyles, TN.