Ben Hester

EVERGREEN - Ben Earl Hester, 73, died Saturday, July 19, 2008, at the North Mississippi Medical Center after a sudden illness. He was born on June 28, 1935, in Pontotoc County to James Huey and Margaret Susie Hall Hester. He was a longtime resident of Evergreen and an employee of Capital Security Systems Inc. He was a former long time employee of the Evans Saw Mill and Lumber Company of Evergreen. He was a member of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ at Nettleton. He loved fishing, working in his yard and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and his great-grandbaby.
Services will be at 3 p.m. today at Richmond Pentecostal Church with the Rev. Ricky Pierce and the Rev. Jackie Laney officiating. Burial will be at Andrews Chapel Cemetery. W.E. Pegues Funeral Directors of Tupelo are in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Jackie Hester of Evergreen; three sons, Brian Hester of Baldwyn, Ricky Hester (Frankie) and Bradley Hester, both of Evergreen; two sisters, Betty McCollum of Richmond and Linda Chettam of Booneville; two grandchilden, Nickie Kelly (Bobby) of Evergreen and Katie Cook (Jai) of Blue Mountain; one great-grandchild, Jayci Kelly of Evergreen.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Timmothy Earl Hester; two brothers, James Hester and DeVan Hester.

Pallbearers will be Lynn Stults, Ted Stults, Pete White, Wayne White, Bobby Kelly and Andy McCrary.

The body will lie in state at the church from 10 a.m. until service time today.