Dorothy Marie Hester

Dorothy Hester, of Abilene, passed away Tuesday, June 3, 2008 at the age of 86. Funeral services will be at 2:30 pm on Friday in the Sanctuary of First Baptist Church, Abilene. Dr. George Knight will officiate, assisted by Dr. Phil Christopher. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Merkel. The family will receive friends, Thursday, June 5 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. October 3, 1921 Dorothy was born in the Salt Branch Community of Taylor County. She was the daughter of the late Joseph Aaron Horton and Emily Levenia (Martin) Horton. After graduating from Merkel High School, Dorothy graduated from Draughn's Business College. She married Joe Verner Hester February 22, 1942. The couple owned and operated Hester Builders and Realtors for many years. Dorothy was a Real Estate Broker. She was a lifelong resident of the Abilene area and a member of First Baptist Church, where she was also a member of the Adult I Coed Sunday school class. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Emily Horton; her husband, Joe Hester on April 12, 1988; one sister, Mary Ella Mashburn; and three brothers, Fred, Buster and Joe Horton. She is survived by two daughters: Beth Bryson and her husband, Charles, of Abilene, and Becky Chamness and her husband, Frank, also of Abilene; six grandchildren: Tammy Morris and her husband, David; Tray Wright and his wife, Julie; Cole Bryson; Lesley, Hailey and Daniel Chamness; and two great-grandchildren: Riley Morris and Tanner Wright. Frank Chamness, Daniel Chamness, Charles Bryson, Tray Wright, David Morris and Cole Bryson will serve as pallbearers. Memorials may be made in honor of Dorothy Hester to the Joe Hester Memorial Scholarship Fund through the Abilene Homebuilders Association or to the donor's favorite charity.