James Matthew Hester

ROXBORO — James Matthew Hester, 78, died peacefully on Friday morning, March 28, 2008, at his home.

The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 1, at Mt. Zion AME Church, Hwy 86 N., Hillsborough, N.C.

He was the son of the late A. D. and Mary Torain Hester and the stepson of the late Alberta Howard Hester.

He was a native of Orange County, N.C. He received his education from the Orange County school system, graduating from Central High School in 1949. In 1954, after serving in the United States Army, he received his degree in Mortuary Science from the Dallas Institute Lupton Jones School of Mortuary Science, Dallas, Texas.

Hester worked for more than 20 years at the V. A. Medical Center, Durham, N.C. After his retirement he became President and co-founder of Hester-Whitted-Daye Funeral Service, Roxboro and Hillsborough, N.C. He was a steadfast member of Mt. Zion AME Church, Hillsborough. He was a long-term member of Prince Hall Order of Freemasons, serving as secretary, Battle Ax Lodge #120 and Worthy Patron, Fidelity Chapel #576, Order of the Eastern Star. He remained active in the Roxboro and Hillsborough communities in spite of illness during the final years of his life.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, the late Foyleen Johnson Hester.

Survivors to cherish his memory include his wife, Hassie Torain-Hester of the home; one daughter, Marguerite M. Hester of Roxboro, N.C.; two stepdaughters, Gwendolyn Torain of Burlington, N.C., and Deborah Torain of Greensboro, N.C.; one sister, Cora Bell Walton of Hillsborough, N.C.; one brother, Henry Hester (Jean) of Washington, D.C.; one stepbrother, Clarence Howard (Juanita) of Washington, D.C.; two sisters-in-law, Mollie Bell Hester of Hillsborough, N.C., and Bernice Hester; one aunt, Mildred Bradsher of Burlington, N.C., and a host of relatives and friends.

The wake will be from 6 until 8 p.m. on Monday evening at Hester-Whitted-Daye Funeral Service in Roxboro, N.C. Visitation will be from 12 noon until 2 p.m. on Tuesday at the church.

Arrangements are by Hester-Whitted-Daye Funeral Service of Roxboro, N.C.

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