Ralph Hester, 81, a devoted husband, father and grandfather, died Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008.

He was a former member of Eastanallee Baptist Church, was a present member of East Athens Baptist Church and was an ordained deacon. He was a very well-known citizen of Athens for more than 58 years. He and his wife owned and operated Central Service Station in Athens for more than 34 years. He was the last surviving charter member and former captain of the McMinn County Rescue Squad and McMinn Volunteer Fire Department. He received numerous awards for his work in the Rescue Squad. He was preceded in death by his parents, Warren and Mae Bennett Hester; three infant siblings; one sister, Juanita Sheldon; two brothers, Henry Hester and his twin brother, Richard Hester.

Survivors include his devoted and loving wife of 63 years, Levena Yates Hester of Athens; one daughter and son-in-law, Lynne and Don McKeehan of Athens; two sons and daughters-in-law, Eddie and Susie Hester of Athens, and Jimmy and Pat Hester of Nashville; seven grandchildren and their spouses, Donna and Kent Bridges, Chad and Kristie McKeehan and Ricky and Diana McKeehan, all of Athens, Jan and Rob McKinney of Cleveland, and Micki and Lance Parr, Dani and Dustin Long and Gia McKeehan, all of Athens; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with the Rev. Pete Mullins and the Rev. Oran Creasman officiating. Burial will follow in McMinn Memory Gardens.

Active pallbearers will be Chad McKeehan, Ricky McKeehan, Jeff Stone, Kent Bridges, Jacob Hester and Rob McKinney.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the McMinn County Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 214, Athens, TN 37371-0214.

Those unable to attend may send condolences to

mailto:condolences@laycock-hobbs.com