Donald E. Hester

Donald Eugene Hester passed away on Monday, September 16, 2024 at Calhoun Liberty Hospital in Blountstown, Florida in the company of family. 

Donald was born in West Palm Beach, Florida on November 3, 1958 to the late JoAnne Marie Doffer Hester and Robert Eugene Hester. Donald also grew up alongside his late younger brother, David Allan Hester. During his youth, Donald and his family relocated to Marianna, Florida where he attended and graduated from Marianna High School. He went on to serve as a Quartermaster in the United States Coast Guard, eventually stationing in Kodiak, Alaska. It was in Juneau, Alaska where he first met his future wife, Roselinda "Neenah" Ann Brown. Donald and Neenah relocated once again to Marianna, Florida and were married on August 13, 1983. 

Donald was employed in various occupations throughout his lifetime including truck driving, digitizing and screen printing, as well as by Russell's Athletic Apparel and Hester's Fine Arts & Framing up until his most recent and long running employment at L.T. Liquors & Lotto as the General Manager. Donald was an extremely dedicated, hardworking and honest employee his entire life. He poured everything into his work including time, effort, passion, responsibility, drive, perseverance and compassion. He displayed exceptional leadership and simultaneously understood the importance of being a team player. Additionally, throughout his lifetime, Donald was an extremely talented artist and cartoonist. He demonstrated versatility with many artistic mediums including acrylic painting, watercolor painting, chalk pastels, graphite, charcoal, colored pencils and mixed media. However, pen and ink, in the style of pointillism, was his favorite. All his life, Donald was a quiet, kind and gentle man who loved loudly and proudly with all his being. Donald loved art, music, film, football, fishing, learning and family. Just like his late wife, Neenah, Donald was simply one of the very best. 

Donald is survived by his two daughters: his oldest daughter, Rosanna Marie Garret and her spouse, Josh Garrett along with their four children, Shawn, Kobe, Zion and Reya; his youngest daughter, Elizabeth Erin-Marie Hester and her spouse, Michael Waylon Pitts and their two children, Teddy and JoAnna. Donald is additionally blessed with numerous nieces, nephews, friends and loving extended family.     

A memorial service to honor Donald’s life will be 10 A.M. Saturday, September 28, 2024 at Marianna Chapel Funeral Home with Reverend Charles Coley officiating.

The family will receive friends for visitation from 9:30 A.M. until the time of service at Marianna Chapel Funeral Home.

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