Natalie Jane Hester

Natalie Jane Hester passed away on Wednesday, February 2, at the Strake Place Assisted living. She was 89. Known to all as Jane, she was a wife and mother in her early years, then a health professional and real estate agent prior to her retirement.

Jane was born July 15, 1932 in Crestview, Florida, the second child of Malcolm and Nora Jane Carver. Jane was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband Marvin E. Hamilton and her second husband Thomas J. Hester. Both husbands were career Air Force veterans. She is also preceded by her older brother William Carver.

Jane loved her family with all her heart. She is survived by her son Rob Hamilton and wife Kelli; grandchildren Rion Hamilton and wife Karla, Lindsay Duke and husband Matt, and Tyler Hamilton; two great grandchildren Rylan and Rylee Duke. She is also survived by her cousins Martha Jordan, Fred Jordan and wife Margie.

Jane grew up in and around Crestview and Argyle, Florida. She graduated in 1950 from Defuniak Springs High School. Not too long after she married Marvin (Buddy) and they were off to many Air Force bases in Texas, England, Germany, and Arizona. After Buddy’s retirement, Jane earned her Licensed Vocational Nurse and Registered Nurse certifications through Central Arizona College, then proceeded to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona in 1977.

Jane and Buddy then moved to Kerrville, Texas where she worked for the Veterans Administration Hospital. In 1979 they moved to Conroe and she worked many years for the Montgomery County Health Department and later became a licensed real estate agent. After Buddy’s death she returned to Florida to be near her mother. She then met and married Tom, a retired Air Force Lt. Colonel. They enjoyed twenty grand years together in San Antonio until Tom passed in 2011. Jane then moved to The Woodlands to be near her son and his family.

Jane was raised in and attended the Methodist Church all her life until she was no longer able to drive herself to church. She then attended regular services at her residences. One of her most memorable experiences was when she met and visited with Billy Graham. Her favorite color was purple as it reminded her of royalty and Easter.

Jane treasured conversations with her grandchildren, whether it was in person or by phone. She was very proud of them and their accomplishments and she always wanted to know “what’s new with you?” Jane loved to cook, sew, and garden until she could do it no more. Jane became an avid television shopper. She would typically purchase too much and then have her son deliver the excess to a local charity resale shop for those in greater need than herself. Near the end she learned to enjoy the simple things- sunshine, a cloud, a smile, and a gospel song

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A special thank you to the staff at Strake Place and Bayou City Hospice for their attention and care in Jane’s final days.

Services will be held on Tuesday, February 8, 3:00pm at Cashner’s Chapel located 801 Teas Road in Conroe, Texas. Visitation will occur at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, Jane would have asked you consider a donation to a charity that serves veterans, cancer or dementia patients, or her favorite Samaritan’s Purse. Burial will be in Crestview at Live Oak Park Memorial Cemetery .