Jesteen Hannah

On Friday, August 1, 2025, Jesteen Ophelia Hannah peacefully passed into eternal rest with her loving family by her side.


A life woven with purpose and love, Jesteen's journey is a tapestry of devotion to family, faith, and community. Her gentle spirit, compassionate heart, and steadfast dedication touched everyone who crossed her path. Throughout the seasons of her life, she embraced each role with grace-daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend-offering wisdom and kindness in abundance. Her story unfolds as a testament to resilience, perseverance, and the quiet strength found in living each day with intention and gratitude.


Jesteen was born on July 20, 1929, in Blevins, Arkansas to the late Julius and Flossie Johnson. She graduated from Blevins Training School in Blevins, AR in 1948 and attended Philander Smith College and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR). Over the past 72 years, she and her husband have been a pillar of the Ralph Bunche Community. Jesteen was an active member of the Wilma Stewart Garden Club, one of the oldest organizations in the community, which is known for their good works and service to the community. She was also a member of Benton Business and Professional Women organization and received the honor of being recognized as Woman of the Year. She enjoyed her career as a banker for over 20 years, serving as a teller at Union Bank of Benton and Benton State Bank. Prior to her banking career, she was a secretary at Ralph Bunche School, clerk-typist at Central Arkansas Development Council, fabric salesperson at Gibson's Discount Store, and bookkeeper at Johson Street Church of Christ.


Jesteen married the love of her life, William "W.K." Hannah, on June 3, 1949, and they were married for over 70 years. They were blessed with six children and together they built a simple life based on faith, love, pride, and hard work. As a mother, she was a source of strength, wisdom, and unconditional love, placing her family at the center of her world, and raising them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. She enjoyed the blessing of being a wife, mother, and grandmother, making each one feel that they were her "favorite." She was an excellent cook, a master seamstress, and sewed professionally and made all her children's clothes as they were growing up sewing an extra stitch of love into every garment. She also enjoyed reading, quilting, and developed a passion for traveling during her retirement.


As a faithful Christian, she lived her life with grace and humility, always believing in the power of prayer and the goodness of God. She was a member of Johnson Street Church of Christ for over 70 years, and she and her husband faithfully labored there in whatever capacity that was needed. Her faith was the cornerstone of her daily life, guiding her actions and offering comfort to those who sought her counsel.


Jesteen's home was always open - her table set for both celebration and solace, her heart attentive to the needs of family, friends, and neighbors. She had the gift of hospitality, and she, along with her husband, welcomed friends and strangers alike into their home, always with a warm smile, a plate of something delicious, and a heart open to listen and care. Whether welcoming family for Sunday dinners or entertaining guests, she embraced each moment with a joyful spirit.


She leaves behind a legacy of unconditional love, unwavering faith, and hospitality that touched countless lives. Her memory will be cherished, and her example will continue to inspire those fortunate enough to have called her family or friend.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her devoted husband, William K. Hannah; her grandparents, Josh and Jennie James; three sisters, Bessie Clark, Mae Ella Caple, and Gracie Everett; three children, Gregory Hannah, Jocelyn Cash-Hurst, and Kirk Hannah, Sr.; two sons-in-law, Bedford Von Cash and William L. Williamson; and great grandson Adam Hannah.


She leaves to cherish her memory three loving and devoted daughters: Wanda (Samuel) Calvin of Benton, AR; Cynthia Hannah-Hodges of North Little Rock, AR; and Jennifer Hannah of Washington, DC; son-in-law: Norman Hurst of Benton, AR; daughter-in-law: Maxine Hannah of Hot Springs, AR; and one brother-in-law: Earl Parnell (Annie Mae) Hannah of Alexander, AR. Her legacy includes 17 grandchildren: Patrick (Takeila) Hannah; Nikki Hannah; Roxie (Jeff) Browning; Kendall Hannah; Kimberley (David) Hannah-Prater; William Cash; Chad (Wendy) Cash-Williamson; Bedford (Sarah) Cash, II; Kirk (Casandra) Hannah, Jr.; Shalunda (Romeo) Hannah-Santo; Erica Tyus; Melanie (Keylon) Allen; Candace Johnson; Michael Hodges; Mathew Hodges; Jessica Hodges, and Cicely Hodges. She also leaves behind 28 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild Imani Sade; three special nieces: Rosie Griffin, Norma Nixon, and Barbara Duke; and other extended family and friends: Vanilla Hannah, Diane (James) Butler, Donna Cash, the Williamson family, the Cash family, the Hurst family, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.


Visitation will be held at 10 am on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at Johnson Street Church of Christ located at 101 W. Johnson Street in Benton, Arkansas, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 11 am. Burial will be at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander, Arkansas. Arrangements are entrusted to Hubble Funeral Home located at 1213 E. Washington Avenue in North Little Rock, Arkansas.