Joel “Nick” Nicholas Hester

Funeral services for Joel “Nick” Nicholas Hester, 95, of Lexington, were held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018 at the First Baptist Church in Lexington with Pastor Chris Bruce officiating. Burial with military honors provided by the Lexington American Legion Post 6, immediately followed in the Lexington Cemetery. Joel Nicholas Hester was born on Feb. 26, 1923 in Lexington, the son of Samuel Nicholas Hester and Maggie Ann (Fails) Hester. Nick graduated from Boling High School. He joined the United States Army on Feb. 26, 1943, his 20th birthday. Nick died Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018 at his residence. Nick is survived by his wife, Melanie Hester of Lexington; four children, Darlene Jones and her husband, Dicky of Sweeny, William Hester and his wife, Denise of Needville, Carolyn Kalina and her husband, Mike of Lexington, and Beverly Fine and her husband, Mike of Sweeny; seven step children, Glenda Meador of Rockdale, Sue Burris of Magnolia, Lynda Whitbey of Corpus Christi, Jeff Whitbey and his wife, Carrie of Rockdale, Gerilyn Hibbeler and her husband, Jason of Port Aransas, Traci Thelen and her husband, Bill of Shiloh, and Michael Couch and his wife, Grace of Lexington. He is also survived by numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and a great, great grandchild. Phillips and Luckey Funeral Home in Giddings was in charge of arrangements.