Geneva O. Hester

Mrs. Geneva O. Hester, 81 of Buffalo Junction, VA entered eternal rest Friday, July 4, 2008 at Meadow View Terrace Nursing Home, Clarksville, VA. Mrs. Hester was born to the late Charlie L. and Hattie Norwood Overbey on November 4, 1926 in Mecklenburg County, VA. She graduated in 1944 from the Old West End High School in Clarksville, VA. She continued her education at Saint Paul’s College, Lawrenceville, VA where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. She was an active member of the Mecklenburg County Education Association and treasurer, Virginia Education Association and the National Education Association. Mrs. Hester was the sponsor of the Averette Community Share Program for several years. She was the President and founder of the Will Let Us Club and through this organization the members sponsored many educational trips and community service activities. Mrs. Hester was inducted into the Southside Virginia Chapter of the Links, Inc. on October 22, 1988 and remained a lifetime member until her death. Mrs. Hester retired from Mecklenburg County Public Schools after thirty-seven and a half years.  Mrs. Hester joined the Wharton Memorial Baptist Church at an early age and was a faithful member and leader until her health failed. Her church work included program director and leader of many projects for the betterment of the church. She was the chairman of the Wharton Memorial Baptist Church Patron Solicitation and Memorial Finance Committee of the first WMBC Anniversary Journal, August 12, 1973. Mrs. Hester’s accomplishments were numerous: as a young girl growing up in Wharton Memorial Baptist Church she was a member of the “Busy Bee Club”. She also was a former President of the Usher Board and Mrs. Hester co-chairman along with Deacon George Sizemore who spearheaded the Fund Raising Project for the church Memorial Garden. One of Mrs. Hester’s greatest accomplishments was serving as the Chairman of the Financial Committee for the beautiful Memorial Church Windows which represents many of past and present church families. Mrs. Hester was preceded in death by her husband Thomas E. Hester, four brothers, Eunice, Robert, Samuel and Charlie Overbey; two sisters, Ora O. Brown and Elizabeth O. Jones. Mrs. Hester is survived by four children, Phyllis H. Martin (Coy, Jr./Mac), Winston-Salem, NC, Muriel C. Hester, Richmond, VA, Virgil C. Hester (Patricia), Winston-Salem, NC and Gordon M. Hester (ex-wife Sheila) Greensboro, NC; one foster daughter, Dorothy Smith, Richmond, VA; six grandchildren, Reginald (Reggie) Hester (Korrie), Nicholas Hester, LaCoya Martin, Jeffrey Hester, Gordon Hester, II, Gabrielle Hester; an adopted grandchild, Michala Day; two sisters, Mrs. Marjorie O. Davis, Philadelphia, PA and Gladys M. Arnold (Leon), Springdale, MD; five brothers-in-law, seven sisters-in-law and a host of nieces, nephews and a vast number of other loving relatives and caring friends. Funeral services for Mrs. Geneva O. Hester will be conducted 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at Wharton Memorial Baptist Church, Nelson, VA with Rev. James A. Hudson, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in Oakhurst Cemetery, Clarksville, VA. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6:30 until 8:00 P.M. at C.H. Harris Funeral Home and Cremation Service. Arrangements are by C.H. Harris Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 216 4th street, Clarksville, VA. In lieu of flowers, monetary contributions may be directed to Wharton Memorial Baptist Church Missionary, 57 Whitehouse Road, Nelson, VA 24580, the Clarksville Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1539, Clarksville, VA 23927 or the family of the late Geneva O. Hester, P.O. Box 482, Buffalo Junction, VA 24529.