Gordon Meloy Hester, Sr.

On Sunday, March 14, 2010, in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Gordon was called to be with the Lord. Gordon Hester was born to the late Thomas E. and Geneva. O. Hester on February 9, 1953, in Mecklenburg County, Virginia. Gordon was the fourth child of four children or as he liked to say “I’ m the baby of the family.” Gordon joined the Wharton Memorial Baptist Church at an early age and remained connected with this church or some church whether in the United States or Germany.  In 2008, after his mother’s death, Gordon shortly was licensed and ordained as a Baptist minister.   Rev. Hester was the assistant pastor of the True Worship Missionary Baptist Church in Greensboro, N. C. under the leadership of Pastor Mark J. Vernon. He served as Sunday school teacher, bible study leader and assisted the pastor with communion.  In the words of  Pastor Vernon, “Rev. Hester was a great inspiration to the pastor and the True Worship Missionary Baptist Family.” His favorite hymn was “There is a Leak in this Old Building by LaShaun Pace.” Rev. Hester’s additional Christian experiences included the following:  1961 to present - member of Wharton Memorial Baptist Church; 1996 to 2007 - Emmanuel Baptist Church Watch Care Member, Rev. Dr. John Mendez, pastor; 2007-2008 -Next Level Baptist Church, Watch Care member, Pastor Anthony Zollicoffer, Greensboro, N. C.; 2009 to present - U.S. Army Chaplin (Acting) Operation Specialist.             Rev. Hester’s educational accomplishments are numerous: a 1971 graduate of Bluestone High School Skipwith, VA; in 1980 he received his B.S Degree in Social Science from Virginia State University, Petersburg, Virginia; 1987,  A.S. in Environment, Health and Safety; 1995 -M.S. Degree in Administration, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant Michigan; 2006-General Building Contractor, Forsyth Technical Community, Winston-Salem, N. C.  He was currently working on a Doctorial Degree in Theology at Newburgh Seminary Indiana and a B.S. Degree in Biblical Preaching at Carolina Christian College.  He was the first Employee of the United Piedmont Center for Educational Excellence.  This agency is the first nonprofit agency to host a TRIO Program in the state of North Carolina.  He was also State Treasurer for the North Carolina Counsel of Educational Opportunity Program.  Gordon volunteered extensively at numerous Guilford County Public Schools inspiring many students.             Gordon was a lifetime member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and a member of The Prince Hall Masonic Lodge.             In 1973, he joined the United States Army and completed his basic training at Fort Hood, Texas.  He rose to the rank of Sergeant First Class Gordon M. Hester while on active duty. His seventeen years of service, were in the United States except for two tours in Germany. He mustered out of service and then in 2007, entered the US Army Reserve where he became Associated Chaplain with the 422 Civil Affairs Battalion. His professional work experiences included the following:  Elementary School teacher – St. Benedict’s The Moor Catholic School, Washington, D.C. 1997 to 2002, Assistant Director of Housing and Residence Life, Winston-Salem State University, Winston–Salem, N C (State Agency); 2000 to 2002, Director of Student Judicial Affairs, Winston-Salem State University, Winston-Salem, N C (State Agency); 2002 to January 2010, Counselor/Coordinator, TRIO Program United Piedmont Center for Education Excellence, Greensboro, N C (501-3c); January 2010 to present; Program Specialist (41D3B) U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, D.C. He is survived by his two children: Airman First Class Gordon Meloy Hester II. of Germany and Gabrielle Mychelle Hester of Durham, N. C.; two sisters, Phyllis H. Martin (Coy/Mac) Winston-Salem, N. C. and Muriel C. Hester Roanoke, VA; one brother Virgil C. Hester (Patricia) Winston-Salem, N. C.;  one foster sister, Dorothy Smith, Richmond, VA; one niece,  LaCoya M. Eaton (Elvin), three nephews Reginald Hester (Korrie), Nicholas Hester and Jeffrey Hester; one great nephew Reece Hester, one god-son Justin Martin, one special mentee Carlos Winston; and a special bond with his ex-wife Sheila Michelle Hester, as well as, a special high school friend, Phyllis J. Twyman, Richmond, VA; uncles, aunts, other relatives and a host of devoted friends. Funeral Services for Reverend Gordon M. Hester, Sr. will be conducted 12:00 Noon Saturday, March 20, 2010 at Wharton Memorial Baptist Church, 57 White House Road, Nelson, VA with Rev. James A. Hudson, Jr., officiating and Rev. Mark J. Vernon delivering the eulogy . Burial with military honors will follow in Oakhurst Cemetery, Clarksville, VA. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 5 until 7 P.M. at the funeral home. Arrangements are by C.H. Harris Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Clarksville, VA. In Lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed to the Gordon M. Hester Scholarship Fund c/o Phyllis Martin, 4831 Hawkwood Trail, Winston Salem, NC 27103 or Wharton Memorial Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 696, Buffalo Junction, VA 24529 or True Worship Missionary Baptist Church, 3518 Summit Ave, Greensboro, NC 27405-3556