Ruby Faye Jester

Ruby Faye Jester, age 85, passed away on Monday, December 7, 2020.

Ruby was born on July 6, 1935, in Newhope the daughter of Barney Leroy Fox and Rosa Lee McLaughlin Fox. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Barney Jester; her parents; five sisters, Vida Fox, Gladys Fox, Virdean Whisenhunt, Lois Davis, and Mazie Cook; an infant grandson, Scott Alan Jester; and an infant great-grandson, Daniel Jester.

Ruby was a Christian and active member of the First Freewill Baptist Church of Hot Springs since 1955. Ruby was widowed in 1971 at the age of 36 with three children still at home. She was an excellent seamstress, earning an income by sewing for others. She cleaned houses and was a caregiver to many. Countless hours of her time were given sitting with loved ones in the hospital.

She was employed by the Hot Springs School District in 1984 as a cafeteria worker at Hot Springs High School, becoming manager in 1986 until her retirement in 1996. During this same period, she worked part-time at K-mart as a cashier. Ruby said “I love you” with food, always thinking of a friend or neighbor to make a meal or bake a pie for. She was the embodiment of a “homemaker”. Her life was “lived to the fullest” with family, friends, and faith, with a servant’s heart.

Dementia stole her last two years, but her grandchildren will always fondly recall her dancing a little jig and singing, “I love you, a bushel and a peck, and a hug around the neck…”.

She is survived by three daughters and two sons-in-law, Beverly (Randall) Cragg of Benton, Sharon (Wayne) Fryar of Hot Springs, Charlotte Feemster of Hot Springs; her son and daughter-in-law, Greg (Tonja) Jester of San Antonio, Texas; seven grandchildren, Tonya (Bill) Sams, Heather (Chris) Kindy, Shane Feemster, Jason (Jamie) Fryar, Erin Oseguera, Kyle (Elizabeth) Jester, and Ryan Jester; 11 great-grandchildren, Jordan, Austin, Adrian, Romeo, Brayden, Easton, Grant, Drew, Kate, Cecilia and Ruby Kay; her sister Billie Ruth Moore of Newhope; her brother and sister-in-law, Jerry and Beverly Fox of Kirby; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and a host of wonderful friends.

Services will be held at 10:00AM, Thursday, December 10, 2020, in the First Freewill Baptist Church with Pastor Doug Jones officiating.

Social distancing directives will be in place with no more than 66% of the total seating capacity occupied at the church and funeral home chapel, avoidance of physical contact and all attendees 10 years of age or older must be wearing a face covering at all times.

Interment will be in the Liberty Cemetery in Newhope at 2:00PM.

Pallbearers will be Shane Feemster, Jason Fryar, Drew Feemster, Austin Coleman, Adrian Oseguera and Ryan Jester.

Honorary pallbearers are Loving members of her church family and the staff of Southern Trace Rehab & Care Center.

In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial donation to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Davis-Smith Funeral Home, Hot Springs.

Guest registry is at www.davis-smith.com.