Erma Jean Hester was born on October 23, 1943, in Crawfordsville, Arkansas, to Robert and Arthairine Washington. They relocated to Memphis and she gained OD Minor as a father.

Jean joined Castalia Baptist Church in 1956 under the leadership of Dr. Calvin Mims where she was a youth choir member and served as secretary of Sunday school and the church.

In her adolescence, she attended Magnolia Elementary and later graduated from Hamilton High School, Class of 62. After high school, she attended Memphis State University from 1962-1965.

Shortly after college, Jean was employed with South Central Bell Telephone Company as an operator as well as working at Union Planters Bank for many years.

She later married James Hester on September 6, 1969. They shared 55 beautiful years of marriage and together started a loving family. They have five sons. Anthony (Donna), Darius, Ernest (Sheree), Jarius, and Marino.

Through their marriage, they have over 35 descendants who have made her smile time after time. Jean loved spending time with her family. She was the matriarch of the family and kept everyone together. She treated you like family no matter who you were. If you were hungry, needed clothes, a place to stay, or someone to speak life into you, Jean was the go-to. JEAN WAS LOVE PERSONIFIED.

The Hesters opened American Bail Bond Company in 1983 and spent many years helping people get released from the criminal jail. They met so many people and helped them get out of bad situations.

Jean was preceded in death by her mother, Arthairine Minor; her fathers, Robert Washington and OD Minor; her sisters, Yvonne Minor and Yolanda Minor; and her son, Anthony Morris.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her husband of 55 years, James Sonny Hester; her brother, Everette Minor; godbrother, Floyd Watson, Jr.; her sons, Darius, Ernest (Sheree), Jarius, and Marino, and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

The family will receive friends Friday, May 10, 2024 from 3:00pm-7:00pm at RS Lewis & Sons 3651 Austin Peay Hwy, Memphis, TN 38128. Celebration of Life will be Saturday, May 11, 2024 10:00am at Castalia Baptist Church, 2180 Airways Blvd, Memphis, TN 38114

Internment will be in Calvary Cemetery 1663 Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN 38106