Gail Hester

Gail Hester, born on January 10, 1943, in Tifton, Georgia, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2026, at her home in Irwin County in the Waterloo Community. Gail was a dental hygienist who dedicated her career to serving the community through her work with Dr. Bill Smith, Dr. Travis Smith, and Dr. Clifford Walker. Gail's passion for her profession was evident to all who knew her, and she left a lasting impact on the many patients that she cared for throughout her life.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 14, at 11:00 at Macedonia Baptist Church. 239 Macedonia Church Road Chula, Georgia 31733. The interment will follow in the church cemetery, where she will be buried by her first husband and the father of her boys, Harlon Hester, who died on March 18, 1999. The family with receive friends at Albritton Funeral Directors on Friday, March 13 from 5:00 P.M to 7:00 P.M.

Gail was a proud graduate of Tift County High School and further pursued her education by attending Augusta Medical to become a dental hygienist. Her commitment to excellence and care in her work remained a hallmark of her character. Beyond her professional life, Gail found joy in numerous hobbies, including cooking, sewing, listening to music and singing in various groups at Macedonia Baptist Church where she played the piano and  worked with the youth. Later in life she an active member of the Tiftarea Car Club, where she enjoyed connecting with fellow automotive enthusiasts. At Halloween, she was known for making homemade candy apples for the children in her community.

She is survived by her son and his wife, Paul and Lisa Hester; her grandchildren, Di Di Peacock (Marc), Chuck Hester (Shanna), Brian Hester (Amanda), Maria Denney (Nic), Adam Hester (Madison), Gail English (Justin), twenty-one grandchildren, Rusty Dorman (Logan), Tyler Dorman, (Haven) Joey Dorman, Blake Hester Lauren Hester, Hiram Brady Dalton Brady, Ansley Brady, Wyatt Denney, Harli Denney, Hensli Denney, Hannon Blake Denney, Reese Hester, Henry Hester, Grayson Hester, Emberly Hester, Eva Hester, Elias English, Ezekiel English, Keaton Hester, Kamden Hester and one great-great granddaughter Maebry Dorman and, her sister Jackie Bussell. They will carry her memory forward, cherishing the countless moments they shared together.

Gail was preceded in death by her father, Gary Rutherford; her mother, Helen Stanley Rutherford; her son Terry Hester; her sister Evelyn Rutherford; and her husbands, Harlon Willie Hester, Lenton Fletcher Jr., and Thomas Rheudean Denby.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Penny Gurley.  She was Mrs. Gail's loving caregiver.

Albritton Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.