Joseph "Joe" Nester

Joseph “Joe” Nester, 75, of Mulberry, passed away Thursday, May 8, 2025 in Fort Smith. He was born May 25,1949 in Hanford, CA to the late Jacob and Ada (Long) Nester. He was in the Army and was a truck driver.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Shirley Bennett.

He is survived by his wife, Marla Nester of the home; two daughters, Sherry Hesson and husband Raymond of Mulberry and Carolyn Gresham of Mulberry; a son, Joseph Nester and wife Amber of Bentonville; three sisters, Laura Calyate of CA, Betty Smith of Fort Smith, and Brenda Scott and husband William of Poteau; a brother, Larry Nester and wife Kim of Georgia; seven grandchildren, Matthew Hesson (Zuri), Morgan Hesson (Brittany), Braden Gresham, Megan Sims-Navarre (Deion), Skylar McCombs, Brecken Smith, and Eli Nester; and nine great-grandchildren.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 17, 2025 at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow at New Cemetery in Mulberry under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home of Van Buren, AR.

Pallbearers will be Matthew Hesson, Morgan Hesson, Braden Gresham, Ashton Ellison, Deion Sims-Navarre, and Eli Nester.

The family will visit with friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, May 16, 2025, at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home, 4100 Alma Highway, Van Buren, AR.