Gail Hester

Gail Hester, born on January 10, 1943, in Tifton, Georgia, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2026, at her home in the Waterloo Community of Irwin County. A proud graduate of Tift County High School, she went on to attend Augusta Medical and became a dedicated dental hygienist. For many years she served her community alongside Dr. Bill Smith, Dr. Travis Smith, and Dr. Clifford Walker, bringing care and excellence to the many patients whose lives she touched.

Beyond her profession, Gail found deep joy in her church family at Macedonia Baptist Church, where she sang in various groups, played the piano, and worked with the youth. She loved cooking, sewing, and listening to music. Later in life she became an active member of the Tiftarea Car Club, where she enjoyed the fellowship of fellow automotive enthusiasts. Each Halloween she was fondly remembered for making homemade candy apples for the children in her community.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Gary and Helen Stanley Rutherford; her son, Terry Hester; her sister, Evelyn Rutherford; and her husbands, Harlon Willie Hester, Lenton Fletcher Jr., and Thomas Rheudean Denby. Harlon, the father of her boys, passed away on March 18, 1999.

Gail is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Lisa Hester; her sister, Jackie Bussell; grandchildren Di Di Peacock (Marc), Chuck Hester (Shanna), Brian Hester (Amanda), Maria Denney (Nic), Adam Hester (Madison), and Gail English (Justin); twenty-one great-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, and Kamden Hester; and one great-great-granddaughter, Maebry Dorman. Her family will carry forward the love and countless memories she gave them. The family wishes to thank Penny Gurley for her devoted care.