Hester Gambrel

Hester Smith Gambrel, 92 of Arjay, passed away on Monday, September 26, 2022, at her home. She was born in Mills on August 8, 1930, a daughter of the late Isaac and Sarah Smith. Hester was a member of the Arjay Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School and had been a teachers aid.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 38 years, Robert H. Gambrel; children, Luther Gambrel, Layman Gambrel, and Shirley Hubbard; daughter-in-law, Jo Ann Gambrel; granddaughter, Kristen Elizabeth Hubbard; and siblings, Virgie Hubbard, Arthur Smith, Isaac Smith, Jr., Milton Smith, and Gilbert Smith.

Hester is survived by her children and their spouses, James Clark Gambrel of Rose Hill, Virginia, Carolyn Sue and Norman Hoskins of Tazewell, Tennessee, Kenneth and Anna Gambrel of Stoney Fork, Curtis Glenn Gambrel of Arjay, Johnny Ray and Reva Gambrel of Arjay, and Heather Kay Gambrel; son-in-law, Eddie Hubbard; daughter-in-law, Callie Gambrel; grandchildren, Michael Gambrel, Patricia Miracle, Anthony Gambrel, James Scott Gambrel, Kimberly Ann Lankford, Jeremy Gambrel, Vestina Milby, Wayne Gambrel, Janet Plont, Brian Gambrel, Norman Joseph Hoskins, Jonathan Stacy Hoskins, Eddie Baretta Hubbard, and Joshua Gambrel; sisters, Joyce Terry of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Bertha Stewart of Pineville; and a host of great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM on Thursday, September 29, 2022, at the Arjay Baptist Church with Rev. A.Y. Mills and Rev. Norman Hoskins presiding. Music will be provided by Scott Gambrel and the Arjay Baptist Church Choir. Burial will follow at the Mills Cemetery in Mills. Pallbearers will be Hester’s grandsons.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM at the Arnett & Steele Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Pineville, which is honored to serve the Gambrel Family. Light a candle of remembrance and sign the guest register at www.arnettsteele.com.