Esther Irene Hester

Esther Irene Hester, 76, of Canton and formerly of Coffee County,GA died January 26, 2010 at Canton Nursing Center. Esther was born December 1, 1933 in Waterproof LA. to the late Tilmon and Agnes Beard. She was a graduate of Truett McConnell College, Mercer University and Valdosta State University. She also studied Christian Education from Southwestern Seminary. Esther taught elementary school for 32 years, the last 28 with the Coffee County School System in Douglas, Georgia. She was an active member of First Baptist Church in Douglas, Georgia for many years. Esther was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Dwight L. Hester, of Coffee County. She is survived by a son, Leland Hester of Douglasville; one daughter, Joy Finch and her husband Marty of Woodstock; and Jon Hester and his wife Leigh Ann of Marietta. His grandchildren are Jason Hardegree of Newnan, Mistee Menard, Joe Menard and Haley Grace Menard of Newnan, Tori Brewster and Camryn Brewster of Newnan, Jennifer Finch, Andy Finch of Woodstock, Mary Hester and Libby Hester of Marietta. Her siblings are Mary Downs and husband Jason of Washington Georgia, Sandra Jones and husband Bobby of Meridian Mississippi, Patty McKeithen of Meridian Mississippi, William S.(Billy) Beard of Meridian Mississippi, Buddy Miller of Bastrop LA and Buster Miller of Jasper TX. She is preceded in death by her two brothers, James Beard of St. Helena Island, South Carolina, and C.C. Beard of Aiken, South Carolina. Funeral arrangements are by McKoon Funeral Home at 38 Jackson Street in Newnan. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.mckoon.com For friends in the Acworth area there will be a visitation at Wildwood Baptist Church on Friday, January 29th from 7pm to 9pm. Wildwood Baptist Church is located at 4801 Wade Green Road Acworth GA 30102 770-428-2100. The funeral service will be on Saturday, January 30th, 2010 at 2 p.m. at Elim Baptist Church at 1529 Handy Road in Newnan. The family will receive friends at the church on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. Reverend Frank Johnson will officiate. Interment will be in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Living Hope Ministries International -- LHMI, P.O. Box 2765, Acworth, GA 30102, www.lhmi.org

Esther Irene Hester

December 1, 1933 - January 26, 2010