Leo Hester

Leo Madison Hester, 91, of Bladenboro, entered into eternal rest Saturday, December 29, 2007.

Mr. Hester was born in Bladen County to Matthew Munn and Susan (Sudie) Hilburn Hester. He retired from the United States Navy, where he was a Chief Petty Officer. He was a survivor of Pearl Harbor. Mr. Hester also retired from the Converse Rubber Company.

Mr. Hester was a devoted Christian. He was also a devoted member of Hickory Grove Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon, Sunday school teacher, choir member, and trustee. He loved his family, friends, and community. He also valued nature, agriculture, and art. Mr. Hester always loved "making things work".

He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Davis Hester; a daughter, Alice Faye Hester; granddaughter, Teresa Edwards; parents, Matthew Munn and Susan Hilburn Hester; brothers, Opie Hester and Thedford Hester; and a sister, Hattie Miller.

Mr. Hester is survived by two sons: Rev. Charles Hester and wife, Dot, of Riegelwood, and Isaac Hester and wife, Carolyn, of Bladenboro; four daughters, Phyllis Lewis and husband, Seth, of Bladenboro, Sophia Edwards and husband, Cliff, of Fayetteville, Jennifer Martin and husband, Rev. Merle, of Wake Forest, and Brenda Smith and husband, Wilbur, of Bladenboro; one brother, Elden Hester of Bladenboro; five sisters, Versie Hickman of Bladenboro, Gladysteen Pait of Bladenboro, Martilla Freeman of Bladenboro, Rometta Warren of Newton Grove, and Tennessee Shipman of Ocean Isle Beach; twelve grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren; and a special friend, Ada Pait of Bladenboro.

The visitation is planned for Sunday, December 30, 2007 from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Bladen Funeral Home. The funeral will be Monday, December 31, 2007 at 2:00 PM at Hickory Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Charles Brust officiating. Burial will follow in Hickory Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.