Denise Marie Eslick

Denise Marie Eslick, known to those of us who cherished her as Niece Bug, went home to her beloved Jesus and reunited with her parents Katherine Elizabeth and Lee Edward Eslick on May 8, 2026. She was 73 years old.

She will be laid to rest beside her parents at Fairview Cemetery in Pampa, Texas. Her life will be honored at graveside by family–Pastor James Glenn and Dana Greer–with prayer and song. Cremation and arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors and Crematory.

Niece Bug reveled in the simple joys of life: country music, rolls, Coke, singing along–complete with hand motions–to “This Little Light of Mine,” her toys, church, and her family. Her answer was always a big yes when you asked, “Niece, you want to go to the show?” She saved her biggest smiles and squeals for her favorite people. If you were lucky enough to be one of those, you absolutely knew. She was impossibly strong, funny, and she taught us how to love and to honor the beauty in people’s differences. She was a valued member of our family and she lives on in each of us through her language and her lessons.

She is held close in the hearts of her three sisters Katherine Lee (preceded in death by Bobby Becker in1982 and Robert Hampson in 2014), Erma Mae (Norman Stanley), and Gertie Louise (Gary Jeter); her nieces and nephews Rhonda Renee (Steve Bueche), Rebecca Rhea (Tim McShane), Norman Lee Stanley II, Gregory Cliff (Veronica Jeter), Cheri Louise (Greg Pittman), and Elizabeth Jane Becker Dent; along with many great nieces and nephews.