Mary Hester Hale

Mary Abernathy Hester Hale (lovingly known to everyone as Maw-Maw) went to be with the Lord on Wednesday September 17, 2025 at the age of 99. Visitation/Viewing will be at Gray Brown-Services on Saturday, September 20, 2025 with Rev. James Abernathy officiating. Viewing will begin at 1 pm for family and at 2 pm for friends. Burial will follow promptly after at Mt. Olive Church in Ohatchee. She was a lifelong member of Mt. Olive Church.

She is survived by three sons and two daughters: Tim (Linda) Hester of Boaz, Marie (Ted) Sexton, Diane (Darrell) Reaves, Steve (Julia) Hester all of Ohatchee and Kenneth (Elizabeth) Hester of Lincoln; one sister, Aleen Lloyd of Ft. Mitchell, AL; one brother, Rev. James (Sandra) Abernathy of Lincoln; three sisters-in-laws, Shirley Abernathy, Janice Abernathy, Mary June Thomas; chosen Hale family; thirteen grandchildren, twenty-one great grandchildren, fourteen great-great grandchildren.

Mary was preceded in death by her first husband Virgil M. Hester (48 years together), second husband Rev. Ernest Hale, Jr. (10 years together); two sons, Stanley Hester, Donald Hester; parents, Jesse and Naomi (Calhoun) Abernathy; one granddaughter; three great grandsons; four sisters, Anna (Jessie) Mathis, Magnolia (Leslie) Pettis, Lois (Bill) Cochran, Joyce (Joe) Carter; three brothers, J.T. (Lena Mae) Abernathy, Jesse Abernathy, Clyde Abernathy.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons: Bobby Hester, Rodney Sexton, Michael Hester, Bruce Hester, Christopher Hester, Johnathan Hester and Bubba Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Tamara McIntosh and staff, two special friends Janice Green Nelson and Tammie Green Quinn, and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Rainbow Omega, P.O. Box 740, Eastaboga, AL 36260