Willene Hester

Tupelo - Willene Hester, 80, died Tuesday, November 3, 2009, at her residence after an extended illness. A Shannon native and longtime resident of east Tupelo, she was born March 4, 1929, to George Rutherford and Cora Mae Dodson Mobley. In 1947, she graduated from Shannon High School. She married Daniel Lex Hester December 25, 1951. She was a member of the East Heights Garden Club and served as treasurer for over 40 years. She was a member of East Heights Baptist Church where she taught five year olds in Sunday School for many years. She enjoyed cooking and gardening and was devoted to taking care of her family.

Services will be 1 p.m. Thursday at East Heights Baptist Church with Rev. Glyn Wiygul officiating. Her son, Danny Hester will deliver the eulogy. Burial will be in Lee Memorial Park. W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include her daughter, Nena Lowe and husband, Lacey, of Tupelo; three sons, Danny Hester and wife, Betty, Mitch Hester and wife, Susan, and Mike Hester and wife, Gail, all of Tupelo; ten grandchildren, Lex Hester and wife, Kimberly, Len Hester and wife, Christina, Jenny Duncan and husband, Scott, Mary Stewart Rhea and husband, Jon Paul, Allie Hester, Amy Hester, Lacey Lowe, Moosey Lowe, Hester Lowe, and Nate Hester; one great-grandson, Mitchell Rhea; one sister, Nellie Loftin of Collierville
.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 55 years, Daniel Lex Hester who died August 9, 2007; two brothers, Charleton Mobley and Johnnie Mobley; and two sisters, Eloise Martin and Adelle Williams.

Pallbearers will be Lex Hester, Len Hester, Lacey Lowe, Moosey Lowe, Nate Hester, Jon Paul Rhea, Scott Duncan, and Kenny Gann.

Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. The body will lie in state one hour prior to service time at the church.

Memorials may be made to The Sanctuary Hospice House, PO Box 2177 Tupelo MS 38803; or a charity of the donor's choice.