Ruth Johnson Hester

Nettleton - Mrs. Ruth Johnson Hester, 95 passed away on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at her home in Nettleton. She was born August 4, 1922 in Itawamba County to the late Ross and Clara Brown Johnson. After graduating from Nettleton High School, she married Herman Hester. Upon his retirement from the Mississippi Highway Patrol, they owned and operated a grocery store for many years in Nettleton.

Mrs. Hester was a Christian and belonged to First Baptist Church, Nettleton, where she was a longtime member of the Ladies I Sunday school class and enjoyed activities with the Jolly Elders. She was an avid sports fan and especially followed Mississippi State on TV.

A celebration of life service will be at 11:00 A.M., Monday, January 8, 2018 at First Baptist Church, Nettleton. Rev. George Johnson and Justin Simmons will be officiating. Burial will follow in Liberty Cemetery in Nettleton. Pallbearers will be Britt Hester, Michael Hester, Roger Hester, Lance Payne, Ryan Payne and James Harold Pettigrew.

Mrs. Hester’s survivors include two sons, Glyn Hester (Judy), Lynn Hester (Ann), and one daughter, Dianne Payne (Jimmy), all of Nettleton; her grandchildren: Britt Hester, Leslie Hester Pickle (Kris), Michael Hester (Stephanie), Roger Hester (Melissa), Lance Payne (Kim), Ryan Payne (Whitney), Leslie Bennett (Chris), Herbert Harris (Cyndi), and Robert Harris; 14 great grandchildren; one brother-in-law, Don Hester, Tupelo and two sisters-in-laws, Claudine Gann, Memphis and Martha Hester, Tupelo.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Herman Hester, and a sister, Lucille Gray.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Baptist Children’s Village, 114 Market Ridge Drive, Ridgeland, MS 39157.

Visitation for Mrs. Hester will be from 10:00 – 10:50 A.M. at Nettleton Baptist Church on Monday, January 8, 2018 prior to service.


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