Jesse Drake Hester

Jesse Drake Hester, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother-in-law, uncle, cousin, friend, and physician, passed away on December 28, 2022, in Gadsden, AL, a gentleman until the end.

     Jesse D. Hester, M.D. was born in Bainbridge, GA, on March 13, 1945, the son of Edwin Cherry Hester and Virginia Drake Hester. He grew up in Colquitt, GA, and was a member of the 1963 graduating class of Miller County High School. He was graduated from Emory atOxford in 1965 and Emory University in 1966 with a BA in Chemistry. He was a brother of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

     Dr. Hester was graduated from the Medical College of Georgia in 1970. He moved his family to Macon, GA, to work at the Medical Center of Central Georgia to complete his four-year internship and residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Upon completion of his medical training, Dr. Hester served in the United States Air Force with the rank of Major at Langley Air Force Base, Langley, Virginia. Following his honorable discharge, Dr. Hester began the private practice of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Tifton, GA. While there he served as Chief of Staff of Tift General Hospital and was appointed to the State of Georgia Maternal and Infant Care Committee for several years.

     Dr. Hester was a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and a Diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He was a member of the Medical Association of Georgia, the American Medical Association, as well as The American Fertility Society. After moving from Tifton, Dr. Hester continued his medical practice for many years in South and Southwest Georgia, retiring in 2001. He was truly a gifted physician, putting the welfare of his patients above all else.

     Jesse was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church where he enjoyed singing bass in the choir, church quartet, and special ensembles and often taught Sunday School.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Ruth Brinson Hester, his children, Laura (Chris) Fickle and Benjamin (Shelly) Hester, Sr., M.D.; and two grandchildren, Jennifer Hester and Benjamin Hester, Jr.

A celebration of his life will be held at the Colquitt United Methodist Church on Friday, January 6 at 11:30 AM with Rev. Keith Cox presiding.