Betty M Hester of Bradenton, FL passed away peacefully at Manatee Memorial Hospital at 5:02 am on Saturday, August 19, 2017, at the age of 86 of a weakened body. Betty was born May 28, 1931 at home in Lima, Ohio to Joseph and Ethel Ward, their second child of six. She was a farmer's daughter. Now, a lamb of God is gone and with God, her Heavenly Father. Betty was a loving wife and mother of three sons. She was a waitress for several decades, and in 1986 became a dance instructor providing line-dance instructions to several Senior classes in the Bradenton area up to 2007. Betty loved to play the piano but favored the organ. Dance and music is a family tradition. She was a member of the Orange Grove Free Methodist Church. Mrs. Hester was preceded in death by her father, Joseph F. Ward; her mother, Ethel May Ward; her brothers: Joseph Daniel Ward and Jerry Edward Ward (Marine Reservist Brigadier General); and her oldest son, Tommy Lee Blankenship. She is survived by her husband, J.C. Hester; her sisters: Mary Jane (Zuppardo), Norma Jean (Jones) and Helen Irene (Buckner); her sons: Randy Joe Blankenship and Jerry Daniel Blankenship; her step-sons: Steven Hester, James Hester and David Hester; Four grandsons, two granddaughters, eleven great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Visitation will be on is Wednesday on 23 August, 2017 from 11-12 with a funeral service following at 12pm at Groover Funeral Home at Mansion Memorial Park, 1400 36th Ave. E., Ellenton, FL 34222. Ph# 941-722-6602.Arrangements under the direction of Groover Funeral Home at Mansion Memorial Park, Ellenton, FL.
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