Annette Boatright Hester peacefully entered Heaven’s gates on August 18, 2026, leaving behind a beautiful legacy of faith, creativity, service, and love.

Annette was born on March 6, 1934, in Dublin, Georgia, to the late David and Mae Howell Boatright. She grew up in Laurens County, where she attended and graduated from Conder High School.

As a young woman, Annette began her working life as a telephone operator before eventually making her home in Houston County. There, she found a calling especially close to her heart at Bonaire United Methodist Church, where she served as a director and teacher at Tippy Top Kindergarten. Annette lovingly described her time there as “a work of love,” a fitting reflection of the care and devotion she gave to the children entrusted to her.

She later began a career in civil service at Robins Air Force Base, where she served as Directorates of Maintenance, Supply, and Material Management. Throughout her career, Annette brought dedication, intelligence, and a strong work ethic to all she undertook.

Annette was blessed with a wonderfully creative spirit. She loved crocheting and painting and was a gifted artist whose talents brought beauty and joy to those around her. She was a treasured member of the Warner Robins Art Association, where she shared her love of art and creativity with others.

She was also a precious member of the Ex Animo Toastmistress Club of Robins Air Force Base.

Among Annette’s many interests was genealogy, a passion she especially loved sharing with her husband, J.C. Together, they delighted in discovering and preserving the stories of generations past, helping ensure that their family’s history would be remembered, treasured, and passed along to generations yet to come.

Above all, Annette treasured her faith. She loved studying the Holy Bible and devoted countless hours to growing in her knowledge and understanding of God’s Word. Her faith was an important part of the woman she was and the life she lived.

Annette’s life was one of many gifts—her artistic hands, her curious mind, her dedication to her work, her love for children and family history, and, most importantly, her love for the Lord. Those who knew and loved her will remember the beauty she created, the knowledge she shared, and the love she poured into the people and passions that meant so much to her.

In addition to her parents, Annette was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 73 years, James Hester and her sister, Ginger Alford.

Her memory will forever be treasured by her children, James Kenneth Hester (Patti), Janet H. Emerson (Edward), and Cheyenne Kent (Jack); grandchildren, Michelle Lee Emerson, James Kenneth Hester, Jr. (Jessica), Cynthia Lynn Herrmann (Eric), Eric Daniel Hester (Robin), Jason Edward Emerson (Jessica), Case Wright, Jasmine Williams, and Jameson Kent; great-grandchildren, Jack Salmon, Chris Salmon, Carson Emerson, Tyler Hester, Alli Hester, Braelyn Seymour, and Julia Herrmann; and sister-in-law, Lora Payne.

Visitation will be Saturday, August 22, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home with a funeral service immediately following in the chapel. Afterward, Annette will be laid to rest in Magnolia Park Cemetery.

For friends unable to attend at this time, the service will be streamed live at https://www.youtube.com/@McCulloughFuneralHome via the McCullough Funeral Home’s YouTube.

McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.