Graveside service will be at 2pm Thursday, February 5, at Crestwood Cemetery for Gayle Hester, age 77, of Gadsden who died Saturday January 31. Harry Butler will officiate. Burial will be at Crestwood Cemetery. Crestwood Funeral Home is in charge.
She was Ms. Senior Etowah County in 1999 and then Ms. Senior Alabama in 2000 and placed 3rd in National Ms. Senior in 2001. She had served on the Council of Aging Board, worked for the American Red Cross, Participated in Project Share, and was awarded as the Volunteer of the year in 2010. She was an entertainer at heart as well as an avid athlete- softball, bowling, and gymnast. She was the first woman umpire for boys little league. She was a part of at least 2 state titles playing softball for over 14 years. She was 1 of a group of ladies called " The Queens of Entertainment" She was a dancer and Comic for the Queens, they went to nursing homes, Senior centers, churches, Birthday Parties, and anniversaries. Even in her final days in the hospital there were no complaints; just her charming, happy, entertaining wit right to the end.

She is preceded in death by her parents Chester and Cora Haynie and sister Fannie B. Quinn.

She is survived by her son Donald Barry (Belinda) Hester of Talladega; grandson Alex Hester; chosen daughter Pam Boyd; chosen sister and best friend Beverly Keel; Queens of Entertainment Kitty, Brenda, Margaret, Colleen, Mattie, and Marti and too many friends to count.

The family expresses thanks to the nurses and doctors of SICU Fourth Floor of Gadsden Regional Medical Center. Special thanks to her companion and caregiver Phyllis Kelly.

In Lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Etowah County Human Society, American Cancer Society, or the American Heart Association.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1pm until the hour of service on Thursday.