Jewell Hester

Amory – Jewell Hester, 77, passed away on Wednesday, February 18, 2015, at Gilmore Memorial RMC, Amory. Born on March 5, 1937, in Birmingham, AL, she was a daughter of the late Gordon H. and Sara Carr Gillean.

Jewell was a graduate of Ensley High School, Class of 1955, in Birmingham. On April 6, 1963, she married Thomas C. “Tommy” Hester. Jewell worked as a switchboard operator for Bell South Telephone in Birmingham. Jewell and Tommy moved to Amory in 1989, where she then worked as a teacher at Wee Wisdom Daycare and as a babysitter. Guided by her faith, family, and friends, she was a devoted member and nursery worker at Meadowood Baptist Church and was active with the Senior Adults. Having a love for and working with children, Jewell was an inspiration to the children she cared for and taught. Her legacy was reflected by their numerous hugs they gave her throughout the years. Jewell enjoyed traveling with Tommy. As a very competitive person, Jewell was an avid sports fan who coached Little League baseball and played on the same softball and volleyball teams as her daughter, Kathy. Passionate about winning and Alabama football, she looked forward to league bowling, playing Rook, strategically playing board games, and competing with Game Show Network. She was a member of the Aurora Club and the Car Club. Jewell was most proud of her family. She also loved to sing the Alabama Fight Song and “Tater Pie.” Being left-handed, she is remembered for her two favorite sayings: “Left-handed people are the only ones in their right mind,” and “Left-handed people are good with math and money.”

Survivors include her husband of 51 years, Tommy Hester, Amory; daughters, Kathy Roye (Jim), Hatley and Trish Addington (Gilbert), Smithville; sons, Gordon Hester, Amory and Thomas W. “Buddy” Hester (Charlotte), Tupelo; grandchildren, Josh Roye (Jenny), Kristen Roye Satterfield (Blake), Daniel Hester (Hannah), Lauren Gunn (Sonny), Shane Addington (Adrianne), and Paige Addington; great-grandchildren, Abby, Eli, and Mary-Ann Roye; Breanna Satterfield; Hali, Logan, and Chloe Frayer; Amory and Ezra Addington.

A Funeral Service will be held at 1 PM, Saturday, February 21 at Meadowood Baptist Church with Dr. Lloyd Sweatt and Dr. Gary Fisher officiating. Burial will follow in Masonic Cemetery. Pallbearers will be C. B. Peden, Mike Riley, Jason Gallop, Larry Goudelock, Rex Coker, Mickey Miller, Kent Collins, and Sam Roye.

Visitation will be at the church from 5 – 8 PM, Friday and from 11:30 AM until the service hour.

Memorials may be given to Meadowood Baptist Church, 1512 Hatley Road, Amory, MS 38821.

Memories and condolences may be shared with her family at EEPickleFuneralHome.com.