Frances Ceola Jester

Frances Ceola Jester, age 82, of Newhope, Arkansas, passed away Tuesday, August 9, 2022.

She was born January 30, 1940, the only child of Leo and Mazie Fox Smith. She was preceded in death by her dad in 1958. In 1962, she gained a stepdad, Curtis Cook, and two siblings, Ray Cook and Wanda Sweeden. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Deloy, and her sons-in-law, Ronnie Mounts and Rick Carmichael.

On July 10, 1954, at the age of 14, she married Deloy Jester, and they spent the next 46 years raising their family. Before retiring, Ceola worked as a cook at Fish Nest in Nashville and at Self Creek Restaurant for many years. She was well known for her cooking and baking skills, and she dearly loved preparing big meals where her whole family was there to enjoy the food and each other. She loved working in the garden with her husband and canning the fruits of their labor, and she also enjoyed visiting the Smoky Mountains with her husband and visiting with her friends. More than anything, however, she loved spending time with her kids and grandkids. Ceola was a lifelong member of Pleasant Grove Freewill Baptist Church where, after 64 years of membership, she was the oldest member.

She is survived by her three children, Jennifer Carmichael of Little Rock, Becky Mounts of Newhope, and Michael Jester and his wife, Sheila, of Newhope; eight grandchildren, Nic Mounts of Greenbrier, Todd Mounts of Frisco, Texas, Brandi Tolleson of Kirby, McKinzie Carmichael of Little Rock, Farron Silverman of Houston, Texas, Tyler Jester of Newhope, Chase Carmichael of Chicago, Illinois, and Mason Jester of Lockesburg; and 14 great-grandchildren with one more on the way.

Visitation will be held Thursday, August 11, 2022, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Smith Family Funeral Home in Glenwood. Funeral services will be held Friday, August 12, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at Pleasant Grove Freewill Baptist Church in Newhope with Andy Hogg officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery under the direction of Smith Family Funeral Homes. 

Pallbearers will be Nic Mounts, Todd Mounts, Tyler Jester, Mason Jester, Brad Garner, and Gavin Gentry.

Because Ceola loved bright colors and patterns, guests are asked to dress accordingly at the visitation and funeral.