Phillip Lee Hester

Phillip Lee Hester of Anguilla, Mississippi, passed away on March 21, 2025. Phillip was born on January 2, 1948, in Tupelo, Mississippi. He was the youngest child of the late James and Eva Hester. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sadie Herndon Hester; his daughter, Neeli Hester Graham (John); two grandchildren, Jamison and Phoebe Graham; his brother, Larry Hester (Gail); two godsons, Patrick Coccaro and Turner Yelverton; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. He is preceded in death by his son, Lee Jamison Hester, his siblings, JW and Doris Jean, and his parents.

Phillip loved the Mississippi Delta, which he made a home for 50 years. He graduated from Shannon High School in 1969 and attended Itawamba Community College, where he played football. He graduated in 1971 with a BSE from Delta State University. He made his first career after college as a high school coach and teacher at Winona Academy and Sharkey Issaquena Academy. He has maintained close friendships with several students from those early years. After leaving teaching, he pursued an agricultural career with Harris Catfish Farms and Walker Agricultural Services. He spent a few years at Mid Valley Pipeline before returning to the Ag business with CPI, Inc. Phillip owned One More Pass and Willpay Farms, Inc., under which he farmed, cleared land, mowed rights-of-was and substations, planted food plots, and just about anything else he could think of! Phillip was rarely idle, and he was always busy.

Phillip loved his antique tractors, which he restored and deposited throughout the lower Mississippi Delta. He also loved telling stories that he embellished for entertainment purposes only. It did not matter if he was in Mississippi, Wyoming, Arizona, or anywhere in between; he never met a stranger, and if he did, before the end of the conversation, he had identified a friend, acquaintance, or interest they had in common.

Phillip was a member of Anguilla Methodist Church and enjoyed the fellowship of the men’s group at both Anguilla Methodist Church and Anguilla Baptist Church.

Visitation and funeral services will occur on Monday, March 24, 2025. Visitation will be from 9:00 to 11:00 AM, and the funeral will be at 11:00 AM. A graveside service will follow the funeral at Golden Link Cemetery.

Pallbearers are John Coccaro, Patrick Coccaro, Terry Cox, Tim Kirby, Russell Stewart, and Turner Yelverton. Honorary pallbearers are Charles Christoper, Joe Ford, Bubba Keever, Randy Scott, Terry Smithhart, and Jimmy Walker.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to the building fund of Anguilla Methodist Church or Sharkey Issaquena Academy.

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