Helen Culver Hester

Amory – Helen Culver Hester, 86, died on Thursday, May 10, 2012, at her residence. Born on July 26, 1925, in Sturkey, AR, she was a daughter of the late Efraim Jackson and Mary Elizabeth Ford Bivens.

Mrs. Hester attended school in Moody, MO. A pioneer of women working in factories, she retired after 24 years of service with Goodyear Tire and Rubber in North Chicago. She moved to Amory in 1994 and married Buddy Hester on January 15, 2000. Mrs. Hester was a member of Victory Baptist Church where she cooked for Men’s Brotherhood. Having a generous and compassionate heart for people, her life was guided by her faith, family, and friends. A wonderful, loving and caring wife and mother, she enjoyed volunteering at the Good Will thrift store. Mrs. Hester enjoyed her two dogs; Gospel music, especially the Gaithers; Country music; going to singings; traveling; watching the Fulton Gospel channel; crocheting; and baking fried pies.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 AM, Monday, May 14 at E. E. Pickle Funeral Home with Bro. C. D. Hood and Bro. Ryan French officiating. Burial will follow in Old Union Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Brian Hester, Johnny Ray Sloan, Larry Pennington, Larry Maxey, and Larry Yeager. Honorary pallbearer will be Jay Davis.

Visitation will be from 5 – 8 PM, Sunday at the funeral home.

She is survived by her husband and soulmate, Buddy Hester, Amory; daughters, Charlotte Willems, Waukegan, IL, Betty Joseph, Wheaton, IL, and Mary Jane McCoy (Bobby), Texarkana, TX; son, Doug Culver, Lake of the Ozarks, MO; step-children, Bryan, Lynn, and Chris; sister, Martha Stanczak, Antioch, IL; grandchildren, Chris, Matt, Ayrica, Meghan, Jason, Jordan, Cassidy, Adam, Eddie, Evan, Kathrin, Lindal, Tyler, Ashley, and Haley; great-grandchildren, Hannah, Tyler, Nic, Cameron, Rachel, Samantha, McKenzie, Grace, Gus, Audrey, Kadence, and Breanna; several nieces and nephews; very special friend, Linda Hester Maxey; and 'The Girls,' Prissy and Bunny.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Charles Culver; and sons, Rick and Sam Culver.

Memorials may be given to Gentiva Hospice, PO Box 83, Amory, MS 38821 or to Amory Humane Society, 1317 Old Hwy. 6, Amory, MS 38821.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at eepicklefuneralhome.com.