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CONWAY – Rev. James Edwin Hester, age 92, of Conway, NC, passed away at the Three Rivers Rehab Center, Windsor, NC on Thursday, July 25, 2024. Rev. Hester was born in Bladen County to the late Jim and Molly Hester. In addition to his parents and his siblings, he is preceded in death by two grandsons, James Randal (Randy) Hester and Tracy Deon Hester, and a granddaughter-in-law, Beverly Jacobs Hester.

Rev. Hester graduated from Bladenboro High School. He began working in construction at the CP&L Weatherspoon Electric Plant in Lumberton. He accepted the call to the ministry and began as pastor of Cross Creek Mission in Fayetteville, NC. While there he attended UNC-Pembroke and received a Bachelor’s Degree. He then went on to receive his Master’s Degree from Southeastern Theological Seminary. Rev. Hester served as pastor in other churches in Cumberland County, Robeson County and Northampton County. Upon retirement he served as Interim Pastor in several churches and was elected County Commissioner of Northampton County.

While in high school he met the love of his life; Mercile Pait Hester. They celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary this past December 2023. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sons, Rev. James Darryll Hester of Whiteville, NC and Timothy Durham Hester (Tammy Jo) of Greenville, NC; a daughter, Pamela Cecile Carroll (Curtis) of Garner; grandchildren, Donavon Hester (Shannon), Jennifer Lynn Nunnery, Michael Quinn, Michelle Neal (Richard), Tammy Marie Hinkley (Craig) and Christopher Anthony Carroll; 9 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren.

A funeral will be held on Sunday, July 28, 2024, at 4 p.m. at Conway Baptist Church, 229 N. Church Street, Conway, NC with Rev. J. Darryll Hester, Rev. Willie McLawhorn and Rev. Kevin Hanel officiating. The family will receive friends from 3-3:45 p.m. in the church fellowship hall prior to the service.

A public graveside service will be held on Monday, July 29, 2024, at 1 p.m. in the New Pait Cemetery, 3288 Center Road, Bladenboro, NC.

McKenzie Mortuary, 112 Jefferson St., Whiteville, NC is serving the Hester family.