1,934: Text reads: Honoring the Seventy-sixth birthday of R.F. Hester, pioneer resident of this section, members of his family gave him a happy surprise last Sunday by holding a family dinner at his home. Guests began arriving shortly before noon, and before Mr. Hester realized the meaning of it all, he was greeted on all sides with a chorus of congratulations. And then he remembered that it was his birthday. After all had seen and admired the lovely array of appropriate gifts, which had been laid out in a separate room, he led the way to the dining room where his birthday cake formed the centerpiece for the attractive table. Mr. Hester 'puffed' 3 times before he succeeded in extinguishing all the candles.
Pictures were taken of the family group with Mr. Hester occupying the place of honor, holding his cake. Those present and enjoying the delightful occasion were Mrs. Hester and the following children: Mrs. W. W. Williams and family, Mrs. J. E. Stockton and Mr. Stockton, Mrs. G. D. Owens and Miss Juanita L. Hester. Grandchildren included Mrs. Marvin Shaw, Mrs. Otis Blackwelder, Mrs. L. D. Burleson, Misses Theresa and Norma Stockton, Ruby Lee, Gladys Mae, Wand and Thelma Williams, Messrs. Boyce, Robert Derrill, Carlos Donald, and Kenneth Stockton, Douglas Roberson, Ed Williams and Frank Riggs. Great grand children were Luther, Cecil and Evelyn Shaw, Donald and Dwaine Burleson, and Bessie Mae and Myrtle Blackwelder.
1,934: Robert Hesters's 76th birthday on his farm.
From newspaper account: "Those present and enjoying the delightful occasion were Mrs. Hester and the following children: Mrs. W. W. Williams and family, Mrs. J. E. Stockton and Mr. Stockton, Mrs. G. D. Owens and Miss Juanita L. Hester. Grandchildren included Mrs. Marvin Shaw, Mrs. Otis Blackwelder, Mrs. L. D. Burleson, Misses Theresa and Norma Stockton, Ruby Lee, Gladys Mae, Wand and Thelma Williams, Messrs. Boyce, Robert Derrill, Carlos Donald, and Kenneth Stockton, Douglas Roberson, Ed Williams and Frank Riggs. Great grand children were Luther, Cecil and Evelyn Shaw, Donald and Dwaine Burleson, and Bessie Mae and Myrtle Blackwelder."
1,935: Obituary from "The Index" newspaper (probably from O'Donnell) dated 4/15/1935
Another West Texas Pioneer passed Monday night with the death of R. F. Hester, resident of Dawson and Lynn Counties since 1903. Funeral services were conducted Wednesday morning at the Southside Baptist church with Rev. J. P. Aslin in charge. Interment was made in the cemetery at Lamesa.
Mr. Hester had been in poor health for several years, but had been confined to his bed for the past twelve weeks, suffering from a complication of disorders due largely to his advanced age.
He was born in southwestern Missouri on October 10, 1857. His parents came to Texas a year later and settled in Bell county, near Salado. It was in this section that Mr. Hester grew to manhood, coming west to the Plains country in the early days of it settlement. The old Hester homestead, which is still the family seat, was a landmark for many years, and old time residents remember it as the scene of numerous happy community gatherings.
Until ill health prevented, Mr. Hester was a leader in civic enterprises in his community, and was always a supporter of every move for improvement and progress.
He is survived by his wife and nine children, who are Mmes. W. W. Williams, Viola Roberson, J. E. Stockton, G. D. Owens and Weldon White, all of O'Donnell, Messrs J. J. Hester of Brownfield, A. L. Hester of Los Angeles, Calif., E. W. Hester of O'Donnell and W. L. Hester of El Paso, and by a number of grand-children and great-grand-Children.
The Index joins with other friends in extending sympathy to the bereaved family.