Jacquelyn Hester

Obituary of Jacquelyn Hester Jacquelyn Hester, 90, resident of Altoona, FL died Monday, June 2, 2014. Jacky was born in Leesburg, FL on March 18, 1924 to Earle and Katherine Ross Hester and lived in Leesburg until moving to Lakeview Terrace Retirement Community in 2003. She was a fifth generation Floridian, descending from Thomas Robertson who homesteaded in the Leesburg area in 1842. After graduating from Leesburg High School in 1941, Jacky attended Camp Roosevelt, a National Youth Administration program where she received certificates in Sheet Metal Work and Radio Code & Theory. She was employed in 1942 by Pan American World Airways in Miami as the first female radio telegraph operator in commercial aviation. After World War II, she enrolled in Florida State University, receiving her BS degree in 1950. She returned to Lake County and taught mathematics at Leesburg High School for three years. She then became the office Manager and Secretary-Treasurer of the family business, Hester & Stinson Lumber Company. In 1961 she was asked by newly elected County Judge, William A. Milton, Jr., to become his Chief Clerk. Later Jacky became an instructor of accounting and allied business courses at the Lake County Area Vocational Center (now Lake Tech), retiring in 1984. Jacky was an avid learner. After she completed her master's degree at the University of South Florida, she enjoyed taking evening classes just for fun. When Lake-Sumter Junior College was established in Leesburg, she was one of the first to enroll in evening classes-such as art, investments, health, Spanish or genealogy. Jacky loved her hometown of Leesburg and sought ways to be involved. She served as Director and Treasurer of the Chamber of Commerce, President of the Business and Professional Women's Club, Corresponding Secretary of the state BPW and Treasurer of the Lake County Classroom Teachers. She was a lifetime member of the First Baptist Church and a strong supporter of the historic Lone Oak Cemetery. Jacky was the family historian and spent many hours researching the family history. Her papers have been deposited with the Leesburg Public Library. She was a lifetime member of the Leesburg Heritage Society and the Lake County Historical Society, serving as its president. Jacky loved to travel. With her good friend, Dixie Allen, she enjoyed trips to Europe, the British Isles, Africa, the Carribean, Mexico, Central and South America, New Zealand, Canada and most of the 50 states. Jacky was predeceased by her parents, brother, Earle, Jr and sister-in-law, Mary Julia. She is survived by her sister, Erlaine of Altoona. Other survivors include nephew, Jeff (Doris) of East Lake Weir; great nephew, Jarrod(Kimberly), great-great niece, Julia of Micanopy; great niece, Lindsay Nunez (Adam); great-great nephews, Connor and Wade of Gainesville; nephew, Judson (Mary Louise) of Tallahassee and great nephews, Paul of Miami and Pierce of Tallahassee. A graveside service will be held at Lone Oak Cemetery, Leesburg on Saturday, June 7, 2014 at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lakeview Terrace Residents' Association Scholarship Fund, 331 Raintree Drive, Altoona, FL 32702. Services A graveside service will be held at Lone Oak Cemetery, Leesburg on Saturday, June 7, 2014 at 11:00 AM. Memorial Donations In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lakeview Terrace Residents' Association Scholarship Fund, Lakeview Terrace Retirement Community, 331 Raintree Dr., Altoona, FL 32702.

Jacquelyn Hester

March 18, 1924 - June 2, 2014