James Alton Hester

Mr. James Alton Hester, 76, of Tifton passed away on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at Tift Regional Medical Center.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 19, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. at Oak Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Gary Cadwell, Rev. Terry Smith and Rev. Mike Patillo officiating.  Mr. Nat McCalvin will officiate the interment at Oakridge Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday, February 18, 2022 from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Albritton Funeral Directors.

Dwayne Hester, Steve Kelly, Al Scarborough, Jess Lindsey, Kevin Branch, Chad Branch, Mason Hester and Christian Harris will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Emmett Womack, Van Dow, Wes Shannon, Bo Eaton, Howard Moore, Ricky Moore, Butch Hosey, Buddy Lindsey, Buck McCranie, Jesse Weeks, Glenn Rogers, Ricky Hartley, Larry Dunn, Larry Crumley, Buster Mercer, Randall Moore and Larry McMillan.

Mr. Hester was born December 19, 1945 in Tift County to the late Samuel Alton “Bud” Hester and Willie Mae Newell Hester. He was a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church. In his younger years he participated in local church related mission trips. He graduated in 1964 from Omega High School where he played baseball and basketball. His class was the last graduating class from Omega. He was retired from Tifton Peanut Company where he was general manager. He was with the Tifton unit of the Georgia National Guard for six years. James enjoyed living on his family farm and loved to maintain his own yards. He loved going to their cabin in the mountains in Blairsville, Georgia. Papa James loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was part of the Gen. Earl’s men’s lunch group. He was an avid FSU Fan!

Mr. Hester is survived by his wife Lynne Marchant Hester, one daughter, Meredith Purvis and Chris Moseley of Brunswick; one son and daughter-in-law, Jamie and Megan Hester of Tifton; three grandsons, Christian, Mason and John; two granddaughters, Kayla and Katie; two great grands, Landyn and Emersyn; his brother, Donald (Sue) Hester; four sisters, Carolyn (Freddie) Kelly, Brenda (Harold) Gershon, Peggy (Johnny) Lindsey and Shirlene Goodrich and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Barbara and Wayne Branch.

Flowers accepted or donations may be made to Oak Grove Baptist Church, 4489 US HWY 319 South, Tifton, Ga. 31793.

Albritton Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.