Charles Herman Hester, Sr.

Amory - Charles Herman Hester, Sr., 85, passed away on Wednesday, June 29, 2016, at NMMC, Tupelo. Born in Amory, MS, on November 10th, 1930, to Carlos Daniel Hester, Sr., and Marilu Caldwell Hester, he lived his entire life in Amory, except for time away in Military service.

He married the love of his life, Paula Nell Towle on August 11th, 1951. They were married almost 65 years. He loved her dearly and enjoyed times together with his family, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Herman was a graduate of Amory High School with the class of 1949 and he attended Mississippi State University.

His love of family, country, community and people was his way of life. He held dear the members of the National Guard at every level of command. As a Chief Warrant Officer, he viewed each individual as one to be respected, and cared for, as he would want to be treated. He was a very devout Methodist. He grew up in First United Methodist Church, Amory. He served in many different capacities in his church and the Mississippi Methodist Foundation.

He was a Veteran of the Korean War, assigned to the second Combat Engineering Battalion, Second US Army Infantry Division. He had over 43 years of combined military service in the MS Army National Guard and active duty. He served as member and Chairman of the Gilmore Memorial Hospital Board, the Gilmore Foundation, and the Amory School Board. He was recognized by the MS Hospital Association as the first person to receive the MS Distinguished Hospital Trustee Award.

Herman enjoyed all kinds of music. He loved telling funny stories and making people laugh. His main hobby was drawing all kinds of pictures, such as children, landscapes, pets and special events.

One of his greatest desires was to help continue the Gilmore Legacy “To Benefit Humanity”. He wanted to give all children an equal starting point in school and to support children so they could graduate High School and to continue their education in a Community College or Senior College.

Survivors include his wife, best friend and soul mate, Paula Towle Hester, Amory; daughters, Carlos Ann Sanders (Charles), Mary Elinor ‘Minnie’ Scott, and Paula Starks (Danny) all of Amory; sons, Charles Hester (Kathi), Amory, and Jay Hester (Jackie), Memphis; grandchildren, David Sanders (Heather), Paul Sanders (Deanna), Elizabeth Sanders Young, Marilu Sanders (Caleb), Camille Scott Bickerstaff (Lance), Benjamin Scott, Dylan Scott, Haley Hester Walley (Jamie), Hanah Hester Whitehead (Clay), John Alden Patton; great-grandchildren, Halle Joy Sanders, Max Martin Sanders, Mia “Millie” Camille Young, Molly Mae Walley, Stella Marie Bickerstaff; several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Elinor Putnam; brothers, John Thomas Hester, Carlos Daniel Hester, Jr.; son-in-law, Ben Scott; infant great-grandson, Charles Martin Sanders.

His Funeral Service will be held at 11:30 AM, Saturday, July 2, 2016, at First United Methodist Church, Amory, with Reverend Steven T. Keen and Reverend Jimmy Criddle officiating. Burial will follow in Masonic Cemetery. Pallbearers will be his grandsons, David Sanders, Paul Sanders, Benjamin Scott, Dylan Scott, John Alden Patton, Caleb Springfield, Lance Bickerstaff, Jamie Walley, Clay Whitehead; and his brother-in-law, Jay Agnew. Honorary Pallbearers will be Skip Miles, Buddy Bryant, Larry Clark, John Creekmore, Phil Roberts, Dr. Robert Cole, Pete Patterson, Gary Franks, Beverly Haney, Drussel Bailey, Hobdy Bryan, and Dr. Richard Hollis.

Visitation will be on Saturday morning, from 9:30 AM until 11:30 AM at First United Methodist Church, Amory.

Memorials may be given to First United Methodist Church, 107 Third Street, Amory, MS 38821; Amory Meals on Wheels, Shannon Trautman, 30054 Hwy 278 W, Nettleton,MS 38858, St. Helen Catholic Church, PO Box 97, Amory, MS 38821; or the Gilmore Foundation, 203 Gilmore Drive, Amory, MS 38821.

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