Mrs. Hester A. Haney, 84 of Anderson, Missouri departed this earthly life on Sunday October 9, 2022 at her home.
Hester was born April 26, 1938 “down in the holler” near Cyclone, Missouri as the first child of Ivan Richard Russell and Ethel Alzeta Lucille (Harvey) Russell. Hester grew up in the Cyclone – Powell – Longview area. She was the oldest of 9 children and very much the anchor for her family. She married Kenneth Barker in 1958 and had 3 children Kimmie, Matt and Shelley. As Hester was raising her 3 children, she also attended Crowder Junior College and Missouri Southern State University, where she proudly earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education. She later went on to earn her Masters degree at Pittsburgh State University. Hester was a devoted and passionate teacher for kindergarten, pre-kindergarten and remedial reading students, teaching at Noel, Jane and Anderson with the McDonald County School District. She poured herself into teaching and was much loved by her students and parents alike. Hester married Hugh Haney in 1985. She was a faithful and dedicated wife and step mom to his 4 children Dee, Tammy, Scott, and Michelle. After retiring from her teaching career, and true to her hard-working nature, she began working at McKee Foods (aka Little Debbie’s) in Gravette, Arkansas. After retiring a second time, Hester enjoyed her small creek-front farm and visits from her grandchildren and their friends. It made her very happy when family and friends enjoyed the place she worked so hard for and called home. She enjoyed attending The Cove Mission Church in Lanagan. She was a gifted seamstress, a talent she passed on to her daughters and granddaughters. She loved her roses and her animals. “Mawmaw”, “Nama Plain” or Mom is very much loved and cherished by her family.
She is preceded in death by her husband Hugh Haney, her parents, a sister Cleta Colleen Russell, and a son-in-law Mark Emery.
Hester is survived by three children: Kimmie D. Emery, Anderson; William Matthew Barker II and wife Lisa, Phoenix, Arizona; Shelley Barker Paul and husband James, Neosho; two brothers: Jimmy Richard Russell, Jay, Oklahoma; Mike Delmar Lewis, Webb City; five sisters: Mary Jane Bahr, Howard, Kansas; Patsy Alzeta Hicks, Ellenboro, North Carolina; Carolyn Sue Bernard, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Cathy Kay Barker and husband David, Webb City; Charlene Ann Kunkler, Joplin; 6 grandchildren: Emily Paul Krase and husband Blake; Olivia Emery Riportella and husband Nick; John Emery; Grace Emery; Stefan Barker; Nathan Barker; 1 great-grandson: Sterling Emery.