Barbara Ann Hester, born October 28, 1946, in Jackson, Mississippi, passed away on September 24, 2025, in Shreveport, Louisiana from an illness. She was 78 years old.

Barbara was a wonderful force of a person, self-made lady who had to scrap her whole life to make it. You would find her always trying to learn more things all the time. Her favorite thing was to feed everyone. She was known to be quite a cook and wanted everyone to be fed, that was her love language. Barbara was also into gardening, loved to have flowers blooming as much as possible. One of her biggest joys was to have animals, she could find a stray dog and next thing you know, we had another member of the family.

Her early life had her married to David Ross Hester in Jackson, MS, he was in the Air Force, they had two sons and lived in Hawaii and Japan. She had an eclectic taste in fashion and was into crafts to make people presents. She would decorate her house and business for all the holidays; she wanted people to feel warmth.

Once divorced in 1978, Barbara had to get to work to raise two growing boys that she has always loved so dearly, she would work two shifts to make ends meet. She waitressed and became assistant manager for a restaurant in Alexandria, LA before moving up to Shreveport. She continued restaurant work until she found Lee's; ended up becoming a business owner and welcomed the Blues players and other bands to her Supper Club that lasted until she sold it in 2021.

Barbara will always be known for her energy, intensity and how she loved all her friends so deeply. Her pets were just like her kids and anyone or animal that got to be part of her life, were so lucky to get to connect with her soul. Her Faith prepared her for this, and she was ready to see her Mother again, who she always so dearly loved and missed.

Barbara is survived by her two sons, David Guy Hester and his wife, Linda Marie Hester; and Richard Duane Hester and his partner, Betty Jo (BJ) Miller; also, her fiancé, Willard Anthony Todd; stepbrother, David Sloan of Mississippi; and ex-husband, David Ross Hester.

Barbara was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Sloan, her father, Richard Brister, and her stepsister, Anita Mapp.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to BJ Miller, Lora and Gary Todd, the Hospice staff, and all the doctors and nurses who put in an over-the-top effort to make Barbara comfortable in her final time.

In lieu of a flower, the family requests donations be made to the ASPCA and to The Shriner's Hospital.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.