Emerson J. Estes spent 64 years as a preacher, working to bring unbelievers to Christ. His teachings didn't go unchallenged. In the mid-1950s, Mr. Estes started a radio program entitled Truth in Love, which still airs on Sunday mornings on WHBQ. He'd often invite religious leaders with differing points of view for discussion and debate, family members said. Mr. Estes died Wednesday of heart failure at Saint Francis Nursing Home. He was 97. A fall caused severe brain damage, forcing his retirement at age 92. He did not stop preaching simply because of his age, said his son-in-law David Richards. "He just wasn't able to continue." Born in Tippah County, Miss., Mr. Estes received his bachelor's degree from Montgomery Bible College (now Faulkner University) in Montgomery, Ala. "He was a man of dignity and a man who appreciated everybody," said his longtime friend Joe Baxter. "He was honest and an outstanding debater and gospel preacher." In 1923, Mr. Estes became a Christian and some time later started preaching full time in Birmingham. He moved to Memphis in 1952, where he became the first full-time evangelist for the Getwell Church of Christ. While at Getwell, Mr. Estes started the sometimes-controversial radio show. "Daddy would receive hundreds of letters a week," said his daughter Sylvia Richards. "He wasn't afraid to disagree with them." One time a man came down to the radio station and attempted to fight her father, who held tight to his Christian beliefs. She said that his philosophy toward people who argued with him was simple: "You may not agree with me but don't think of me as your enemy." Mr. Estes, who served on the board of directors for Childhaven Orphanage and Mid-South Christian Nursing Home, was named an honorary lieutenant colonel on the staff of then-Alabama Gov. George Wallace in 1983. His last preaching assignment was at Merton Street Church of Christ. In 1993, shortly after his 90th birthday, he told The Commercial Appeal "As long as I'm able I'll keep working. It's a great life." Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Memorial Park Funeral Home. Mr. Estes , the husband of Mildred Estes for 71 years, also leaves another daughter, Wanda Kindred of Burlington, Ky., and three grandchildren. The family requests any memorials be sent to the Memphis School of Preaching. (Obituary by Jasmine Kripalani, published in The Commercial Appeal 7/21/2000)