Mary Hester was born in Lee County, Virginia to Willie Vival (nee Estep) and Harvey Monroe Smith. A longtime Oxford community resident, she and her family were well known in the area for their musical performances at local nursing homes and churches. The Smith family is very musical and Mary Hester's talents included singing, playing the guitar and playing the bass. She and her brother Harold Dean Smith played throughout Oxford for 15 years.

She also loved horses and started working with plow horses at the age of 10. She and her husband, Gary, raised Appaloosa horses for several years. Other interests included bowling, sewing and painting. She also enjoyed going on camping trips with her sons. Mary Hester was extremely devoted to her whole family and will be deeply missed.

She is the beloved wife of Gary Hatton; devoted mother of Everett Dean Masters and Keith Alan (Anita) Masters; and cherished sister of Doris Merritt, Rose Bowling, Joyce Smith, Phillip (Marlyn) Smith and Joseph (Marian) Smith. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Ruby Austin, and her brothers Boyd Harvey Smith, Harold Dean Smith and James Odell Smith.

A visitation for Mary Hester will be held on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 from 11 AM until 1 PM. A graveside service will immediately follow at Darrtown Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Mary Hester's name to a Christian charity of your choice.