Shirley June Hester, age 73, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and sister, entered into rest on Thursday, January 17th 2013, surrounded by her family, after a very courageous battle with cancer. Shirley was born on June 4, 1939 in Mountain Home, Arkansas to William Allen and Ruby May (Watson) Studdard. She grew in Arkansas and graduated from Mountain Home High School in 1957. With her parents and three younger brothers, Robert, Keith and Marvin, they moved to Washington State in 1959 and later to Prosser in 1960. Shirley met her husband, David A. Hester and the couple were married on March 27, 1964. This union brought four daughters, which were the absolute joy of her life. Shirley worked at J.C. Penney store in Prosser, Washington and later worked as a receptionist/clerk for the Benton County Assessors office until retirement in June of 2001. After retirement, Shirley and husband David hit the road, traveling, camping and enjoying the great outdoors in their motor home.
Shirley had many talents and interests, some of which weren’t widely known. She was quite a tomboy in her formative years and was a great help to her dad, on the back of a horse, as they looked after a sizeable cattle ranch. She was also better than average at milking the cows and was quite comfortable and capable on a horse as she won numerous silver dollars for barrel racing at local rodeos. Some how through all of this, she also had time to learn the “girl stuff” from her mother. She became a great cook and was a very talented seamstress and loved to sew quilts for family and friends.
Above all else, was the love she had for her family. She took great pleasure in organizing family reunions and bringing the Hester and Studdard families closer together. She was an amazing drill team mom for her daughters and she loved going to her grandchildren’s sporting events. She and David also loved camping, fishing, and “Sunday drives” (which often ended up at the casino). Together they designed and created many rustic wood creations and Mustang memorabilia.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, William Allen and Ruby May (Watson) Studdard, her half brother, Gene Studdard and nephew, Steven Wayne Ice (Studdard). She is survived by her husband of almost 49 years, David Hester, daughters Marcy Mercer (Chuck), Joyce Ewalt (Larry), Judy Woodworth (Brian) and Angela Knight, 6 grandchildren, Cally, Sydney, Makayla, Jenna, Kylee and Jaren, and her brothers, Robert “Bob” Studdard (Sandi), Keith Studdard (Carol) and Marvin Studdard, many nieces and nephews, along with some very special family members: Scott, Heather and Kapri Cook and Andy and Kathy Gilbertson.
A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at the Prosser First Presbyterian Church in Prosser, Washington on Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 11:00 a.m.
For remembrance the family has provided the option to send flowers or make a donation to the Prosser Hospital Auxiliary.
In Memory of Shirley flowers: Please send to Prosser Funeral Home 1220 Sheridan Avenue, Prosser WA 99350 (509) 786-3642.
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In Memory of Shirley donations: Please send to PMH Hospital Auxiliary 723 Memorial Avenue, Prosser WA 99350 (509) 788-6021.