Grace Hester, age 91, passed away on Saturday, October 15, 2016. She had lived her entire life in Franklin County, primarily in the Belgreen Community.
The visitation will be 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Sunday, October 16, 2016 at Spry Memorial Chapel in Russellville, Alabama. The funeral will be at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, October 17, 2016 with the body lying in state from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home chapel. Officiating at the service will be Bro. Jackie Richardson. Interment will be at Belgreen Cemetery.
Grace was a devoted member of the Belgreen Church of Christ. She loved the Lord and her church family. Proverbs 6:20-22 says, “Forsake not your mother’s teachings. Bind them in your heart always. When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; when you wake, they will walk with you.”
Grace was preceded in death by her loving husband of 59 years, John B. Hester, Jr. Also preceding her was her parents, Jimmy & Mable Hamilton; siblings, Earl Hamilton, Christine Peck, Glenn Hamilton, Van Hamilton, Gene Hamilton; as well as a daughter-in-law, Joyce Hester, niece, Judy Gates, great-grandson, Kylan Hester; nephews, Ricky “Moe” Hamilton and Randy Hamilton; and sister-in-law, Ruby Jean Hamilton.
Grace worked in the family grocery store in Belgreen for many years and was a homemaker. She worked for the Internal Revenue Service in Washington D.C. during World War II as well as at Rockwood Limestone which was converted into a munitions factory during World War II. She also served as a substitute teacher at Belgreen High School and was a poll worker at the Belgreen voting box from 1948 to well past 2000.
Grace was a devoted and loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She leaves to cherish her memory, her sons, Radford (Connie) Hester of East Franklin; Johnny Hester, Richie (Amy) Hester of Belgreen; her cherished grandchildren, Shane Hester of Birmingham, Dr. Leigh Hester of Rogersville, Joby Hester of Belgreen, Dr. Gabriel Hester (Lauren) of Birmingham, Dean Hester (Amy) of Athens, Maggie Adams (Justin) of Tuscumbia, Asia Hester of Huntsville, Eric Hester of Tuscaloosa, Colt Hester of Nashville, Abby Hester and Layla Hester of Belgreen. She also leaves her cherished great-grandchild, Nash Adams of Tuscumbia and cherished step-great grandchildren, Dylan and Abby Staggs of Athens. She is also survived by niece, Shelia Malone; nephews, Jerry Peck, Brian Hamilton, and Greg Hamilton; sister-in-law, Brenda Hamilton; as well as many other cousins and family members.
The pallbearers will be Gerald Hester, Jack Hester, Greg Hamilton, Norris Sparks, Brian Hamilton, Donald King, Cleophis King, and Troy King.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff of Ardmore Health and Rehab for their loving care of our mother and grandmother over the last four years and two months. We also want to thank the Belgreen Church of Christ family and all the family, friends, and relatives, who came by for visits, sent cards, or called or offered prayers.
Grace had a wonderful life. “Be thou faithful into death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Revelations 2:10.
Spry Memorial Chapel assisted the family.
