Alice Kester

Surrounded by her family, Alice M. Kester, 85, of Oak Ridge, peacefully passed away Tuesday, June 22, 2021, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau, where she had been a resident for five years.

She was born March 15, 1936, in Kurreville, daughter of John and Dessie Welker Newell. She and John G. "Red" Kester were married Jan. 24, 1953, in Jackson. He passed away April 17, 2000.

Alice was a life-long member of Christ Gospel Church of Millersville. She worked many years at Florsheim Shoe Factory in both Cape Girardeau and Jackson, Ralph Edward Sportswear in Cape Girardeau, and retired as a housekeeper from Chateau Girardeau in Cape Girardeau.

Loving survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Tonya Kester of Millersville; seven brothers, Charles "Chock" (Carma "Peg") Newell, Carl (Janice) Newell, Les (Laverne) Newell and Gene (Betty "Beth") Newell, all of Jackson, Johnny (Cheryl) Newell and Randy (Joyce) Newell of Oak Ridge and Lyman Verdell (Marie) Newell of Webster Groves, Missouri; four sisters, Aline (the late Bob) Poe, Karen (Scott) Eakers, Pauline (the late Benny) Kimbel, and Patsy (the late Don) Pulliam, all of Jackson; and two grandchildren, Cody (Ashleigh) Kester of Webster Groves and Allison Kester of St. Louis.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Adam (the late Bert) Newell and Terry Lane Newell.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home with the Rev. Chris Deegear officiating. Interment will follow in Old Salem United Methodist Church Cemetery near Millersville.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to The Alzheimer's Association.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.