Johnnie Rae Hester

Johnnie Rae Hester, of Bladenboro, passed away on Friday, February 16, 2024 at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare in Whiteville. She was preceded in death by her parents, Hilbreth Dock Britt and Columbia Israel Britt; son, Jimmy Ray Hester; husband, James Hester; sisters: Betty Jo Inman , Emma Jane Dew, Frances Dew; brothers: Dock Britt and Gerial Britt.

Johnnie Rae leaves behind her son, Robbie Hester of Bladenboro; daughters: Kim Thompson and husband Billy of Clarkton, Phyllis Boyd of Bladenboro; sister, Marie Simmons of Hope Mills; grandchildren: Kristy West (Jon), Jennifer Bass (Brooks), Kayla Allen (Josh), Keri Hester (Travis), Noelle Thompson, Brooke Meares (Anthony), Kynston Rittenhouse (Savannah), Meghan Baysden (Blake), Courtney Williams (Thomas); 20 great grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren.

Johnnie Rae was a wonderful Christian lady who loved the Lord with all her heart. She played basketball in high school and was a very successful business lady later in life. She enjoyed Jeff Gordon racing, Diet Pepsi and chocolate ice cream was her favorite. She will be forever remembered for her kind and gentle spirit and will be missed by all.   

The family will receive friends from 2-3pm on Sunday, February 18th at the Bladenboro Chapel of Bladen-Gaskins with a funeral service at 3pm. The Reverend Andrew Smith and Reverend Robert Hester will officiate the service. Burial will follow in the Memory Lane Cemetery in Bladenboro.