Gledis Woods Hester

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Gledis Woods Hester, 97, of Mountain View, former longtime Manila resident, died Friday, Nov. 5, 2010, at her home in Mountain View where she had lived since 2006. Born Sept. 27, 1913, she was the daughter of the late Will and Nancy Attaberry Woods and the widow of Grey Hester, who she married Jan. 15, 1931 in Hornersville, Mo. Together they operated Hester's Grocery at Beauchamp Corner for many years until Mr. Hester's death Oct. 10, 1953. Mrs. Hester held many jobs including the Manila Furniture Company, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service and the Manila Head Start. She also volunteered with the Mississippi County Economic Opportunity Commission for over 30 years. She was of the Baptist faith.

Mrs. Hester loved nature, children, sewing, cooking and gardening. She was known for giving away loaves of homemade banana nut bread to the Manila city employees. An accomplished seamstress, she designed and quilted over 100 quilts which she gave to family and friends. The past few years she enjoyed celebrating her birthday with friends at the Circle Inn Restaurant in Manila.

In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by a daughter, Sharlene Threlkeld, two sisters, Beatrice Ward and Virgie Poe, and a brother, Jewell Woods.

Survivors include her daughter, Joan Rainbolt and husband Gerald of Mountain View; three sisters, Delorce Ethridge and husband Jack of Grand Haven, Mich., Aline Holland and husband John of Grand Haven, Mich., and Mary Lee Thomason of Siloam Springs; five grandchildren, Melissa Threlkeld, Melanie Threlkeld McConnell, Merry Threlkeld, Joseph Threlkeld, and Gerry Rainbolt; seven great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Howard Funeral Service Chapel in Manila with Rev. William Piercy officiating. Burial will follow in Manila Cemetery.

The family will receive visitors Tuesday morning from 9 a.m. until service time.

Guest register is howardfuneralservice.com.

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