- Date Of Birth: June 7, 1932
- Date Of Death: June 6, 2021
- State: Michigan
Gladys Maxine Hester, age 88 of Plainwell, died at home surrounded by her family on June 6, 2021. She was born June 7, 1932, in Maryville, Tennessee, the daughter of Wiley and Della (Flynn) Cooper. On December 18, 1950, Gladys married James Hester, who preceded her in death in 1998. For 12 years she worked for Gase’s Bakery and retired from Schaffer’s Bakery after 12 years.
Her family includes her children: Lynda (Ronald) Olonia, Penny Lee (William) French, Kim (Richard) Cassidy, and twins James Hester and Jody Hester; 8 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and several great-great grandchildren; special nephews the Bailey Boys and special niece Susan Ketchum, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband James, her brothers John Cooper, Wiley Cooper, Jr. and Carl Cooper, and her sisters Polly Waters, Francis Bailey, and Wanda Henderson, with Gladys being the last of her immediate family. She was a fierce protector of her family and friends. Gladys was a breast cancer survivor. She was an avid flower and vegetable gardener and enjoyed canning and sewing.
