Sarah Josephine (Smith) Hester

Sarah Smith Hester, 88, of Winston-Salem, passed away peacefully at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home in Winston-Salem Friday September 5, 2025. She was born on January 15, 1937 in Sumter, SC to Raybon Foster Smith and Sarah Josephine Cooper Smith. Sarah was a graduate of Fayetteville High School and later graduated from Mars Hill College in 1958. In 1963, she eventually moved to Winston-Salem to raise a family. Sarah worked part-time secretarial jobs as she raised her two sons. After fifteen years of dedicated service as an administrative assistant, she retired from Baptist Hospital. Sarah was a member of Pinedale Christian Church. She enjoyed the beach, travel, gardening, reading, and time with her friends. Most importantly, she was devoted to her husband, children, grandchildren, brothers, and all of the extended family. All will remember her as being loving, warm, kind, nurturing, faithful and generous. She was preceded in death by her parents; her son Stephen Simonds; and brothers Alan Smith and Fred Smith. Sarah is survived by her husband Jerry Hester; son Kenneth Simonds (Marie); son Justin Hunt; grandson Grant Simonds (mother Donna Simonds); brother Michael Smith (sons Andy, Patrick, and Daniel and their families); sister-in-law Jean Smith (son Jason Smith); stepsons Andrew, Tony, and Darren Hester (wife Amy, children Logan and Emmie); brother-in-law Frank Hester (wife Helen and family), bother-in-law Bill Mitchell (wife Pam and family).

A celebration of life service will be held at Pinedale Christian Church 2:00 PM Thursday September 25, 2025 with Pastor Bob McCaskill officiating. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Kate B Reynolds Hospice Home, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.