Hester R. Boone

Mary Hester Ruth (Holman) Boone, 99, of El Dorado Springs, Mo., passed away on Oct. 26, 2014, at Community Springs Healthcare. Hester was born on Nov. 27, 1914, to James Frances "Frank" Holman and Maude (Click) Holman, in rural Vernon County, Mo., near Bronaugh. She graduated from Bronaugh High School in 1932, then attended Fort Scott Community College. She taught at the Totten School in Vernon County and Willard schools while continuing to work toward her degree. She graduated from Southwest Missouri State Teacher's College (now MSU) in 1939.

Hester married Evertt Boone in West Memphis, Ark., on June 7, 1941, after a seven year courtship. For the first few years of their marriage, they lived various places in the south for Evertt to work. In 1946, they purchased a 40-acre farm in Johnson County, Kan., which is now in Shawnee Mission, Kan. Hester stayed home on the farm and raised her two sons. In 1981, she moved to Conifer, Colo., to be near her sons and their families. When Darrel moved to El Dorado Springs in 1990, she moved also, back close to home.

After Evertt passed away in 1975, Hester traveled with her brother to see her large extended family. Later she traveled to Hawaii and went on a Panama Canal cruise with her Christian Church group and on many bus trips. After moving to El Dorado Springs, she met many friends at the senior center, First Christian Church, and playing bridge.

Hester liked to garden, to read, and being with her family. She looked forward every year to the Holman reunion. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. You could count on her for any help or advice you needed. She kept a positive attitude and a smile, always.

Hester was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Leland Holman and Willard Holman; husband, Evertt Boone; and all her Boone brothers and sisters-in law. She leaves behind, sons, Daniel Boone and Darrel Boone; daughters-in-law, Suzi Boone and Vickie Boone; grandchildren, Dana Chacon, Kristen Smith, Jessica Recla, and Jacob Boone; great-grandchildren, Asasia Julian, Seinna Smith, Dorrian Smith, and Devinne Chacon; and great-great-grandchildren, Aiden Ortega and Zoey Nye.

Funeral services for Hester Boone will be held Saturday, Nov. 1, at 2 p.m., at Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until service time. The Rev. Joe Trussell will officiate. Burial will follow in Johnson County Memorial Gardens in Overland Park, Kan., on Monday, Nov. 3, at 11 a.m., under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Senior Center or to First Christian Church and left at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be left on the funeral home's website at www.blandhackleman.com.