Janice Lurleen Hester

Janice Lurleen (Ford) Hester, 84, passed away on October 11, 2024 following a stroke. She was born March 6, 1940 in Hutto, Texas to Marshall and Ruby (Keese) Ford. She met the love of her life when taking her TV to the repair shop in the early 1960s. She and Monroe Hester dated for 6 years and were married on June 28, 1970 at Hutto Discovery United Methodist Church. They celebrated 54 years of marriage this summer.

A 1958 graduate of Hutto High School, Janice briefly attended Southwestern University before taking a position in the Registrar's office. She served as the Assistant Registrar, then the Registrar for Southwestern University; her career spanned 41 years. She was proud to receive the Pearl A Neas Award in 1979.

Janice had numerous lifelong friendships with faculty and staff. She and Monroe supported Southwestern University and the arts, often enjoying campus performances and productions. Janice was a member of Southwestern University VEEPS and served as President for a time. Their paving stone is prominently located outside Perkins Chapel.

Janice's faith was extremely important to her. She found great joy in playing the piano and served as Hutto Discovery's accompanist for 44 years. She had also served as the pianist for Sunday services at Weir Baptist Church for a decade or more. When Janice stepped away from the piano, she joined Monroe in singing in the church choir.

Janice was active in the Ladies Aid and United Methodist Women for a number of years. She participated in numerous adult Sunday school classes, Bible studies, church and area community choirs. She gathered monthly with Hutto-area women of faith for a brown bag lunch and fellowship. Janice had beautiful penmanship, was an avid correspondent, and delighted in keeping up with others. She was a beautiful person, inside and out, and will be greatly missed. Janice is survived by her husband, Monroe Hester and a host of friends. She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Gaynor Ford.

Janice was a lifelong supporter of Hutto Discovery United Methodist Church and contributed to a number of philanthropic causes. Memorials may be made to the church, P. O. Box 426, Hutto, TX 78634, or the charity of your choice.

A visitation and funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 17 at the chapel of Cook-Walden Davis Funeral Home, 2900 Williams Drive, in Georgetown. Visitation will start at 1:00 p.m. and the funeral will begin at 2:00 p.m. Following the funeral service, there will be a burial service at Weir Cemetery.