Dora Schmidt Hester

Nov. 14, 1943 - Jan. 15, 2023

Funeral services for Dora Schmidt Hester, 80, of Roxie, were held at 3 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023, at the First Baptist Church of Bude.

Interment was in Franklin County’s Midway Cemetery.

Visitation was held from 2 p.m., until the time of service on Tuesday, Jan. 17 at the church.

She was born to E.J. “Bud” and Katherine Schmidt on Nov. 14, 1943, in Tylertown, and passed away on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.

Growing up, she moved to different places in both Mississippi and Alabama as her father became a doctor through the G.I. Bill.
In 1958, the family settled into Bude. After high school graduation, she attended Copiah-Lincoln Junior College in Wesson and — after starting her family — the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg to obtain her R.N. degree.

Dora had three children — Tammy, Vicki and Eddie — and worked various jobs in nursing for more than 30 years, including as the school nurse at Franklin County Elementary School to be with her children as they were growing up.
She also worked at Franklin County Memorial Hospital in Meadville, served as a home health kidney dialysis nurse and was director of nursing at Meadville Convalescent Home while her children were attending high school.
She later worked at Saint Catherine’s Village, Charter Hospital in Jackson and Natchez Regional specializing in chemical dependency. She also worked at Silver Cross Nursing Home in Brookhaven.
As her children were attending college, she often worked two jobs to help with those expenses.
Those who worked with her described her as an excellent nurse with a strong work ethic.

Dora enjoyed continuing her education in floral design by making flower arrangements and wreaths for her family to enjoy.
She enjoyed studying God’s Word, reading a wide range of books, cooking and shopping.
During her last years of life, she enjoyed eating out with her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and her sister, Mrs. Beth Boyd of Baton Rouge, La.

Survivors include her daughters, Tammy Fairburn of Monticello and Vicki King and her husband, Rusty, of Roxie; her son, Eddie Hester and his wife, Kristi, of Oldenburg; her seven grandchildren, Lacey Barfoot, Matt Deer, Hannah Herrington, Logan King, Chloe King, Emily Hester and Anna Kate Hester; and eight great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Eddie Hester, Rusty King, Matt Deer, Logan King, Trent Herrington and Eric Barfoot.

Online condolences can be shared at www.franklinfh.com.

Franklin Funeral Home of Meadville was in charge of arrangements.