Martha Russell Hester

Martha Russell Hester, 95, of Albany, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. Her memorial service will be at 2 PM on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. The Rev. Galen Mirate and the Rev. Ann Heinemann will officiate. The family will receive friends following the service. Her cremated remains will be buried at Riverside Cemetery. Martha is survived by her two sons: Wade Hampton Hester, III, Athens, GA, and Mark Russell Hester (Susan), Albany, GA; “grand dog” Lennon. Martha was married to Wade Hampton Hester, Jr. in 1955 and he passed away in 2011. Martha’s parents were Thomas Pickens Russell, MD and Irene Dillard Russell; her brother was Paul Thomas Russell, MD and his wife Anne Lucille Skelton Russell; all preceded her in death. Martha graduated from Waycross High School and attended Shorter College. She graduated from the University of Georgia where she majored in microbiology. She moved from Athens to Albany and worked in the bacteriology lab at the Department of Human Resources for 47 years. Martha was a member of the Junior League of Albany and the Albany Little Theatre. She was a charter member of Doublegate Country Club. She and her husband were avid golf fans and enjoyed going to tournaments throughout the Southeast where they made many lifelong friends. Martha joined her beloved church, St. Paul’s Episcopal and was a member for 68 years. Members of the church were so kind and thoughtful to her through the years. They were always bringing flowers from Sunday services and delicious sweet treats. The family gives special thanks for their kindness and love. As a mother of two boys, Martha enjoyed the company of other Episcopalian mothers each week at 4 PM to have libations and socialize. Seven St. Paul’s members made up this group known as “The Mondays”; Jo Jones, Alice Bell, Lucille Keenan, Mary Faulk, Rosalie Clark, Mimi Newcomb, and Martha. Through the years, many more joined the group. The family wishes to thank the people of Georgia Hospice for the kind care for Martha. Other surviving family members include great nephews: Dr. Paul Thomas Russell, III (Donna), Nashville, TN, Griffith Blocker Russell, Marina Del Rey, CA, William Bledsoe Timmerman (April), Norristown, PA; nieces: Ruth "Sissy" Russell, Nashville, TN, Kathy Warren Russell, Albany, June Thornton Russell, Albany; great nieces Elizabeth Spears Russell Canady, Mendociono, CA, Lucy Timmerman Underwood (Miles), Zurich, Switzerland. Those desiring may send memorials to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 212 N. Jefferson St., Albany, GA 31701.

Martha Russell Hester

December 3, 1928 - February 27, 2024