Hilda Hancock Jester

Mrs. Hilda Gaynelle Hancock Jester, 86, was a cherished daughter, sister, mother, wife, and “Nanny”. She died peacefully in her home on the early morning of November 11th, 2026.

She was born May 16th, 1940 in Winston-Salem, NC to Noama Beck and John Hancock Sr. She graduated from Southwest High School and worked at RJ Reynolds until her retirement. At age 20, she married the love of her life, Donald. She often reminisced that it was “love at first sight” after her brother introduced them. They were married for 65 beautiful years before Donald’s passing in 2025.

Hilda loved baking desserts and spending many hours in her flower and vegetable gardens. She was famous for her rolls made from the family sourdough starter. If you knew her, you knew her laugh was infectious and filled a room, and she loved any well-timed sarcasm. Hilda had an eye for beauty, always keen to the flowers or birds around her. She was an excellent seamstress and talented singer, often singing at weddings and funerals throughout the 60s-70s. She grew up at Olivet Moravian Church in Winston-Salem and became a member at Union Grove Baptist Church after she and Donald married in 1960. Her relationship with Jesus was evident through her compassion, wonder, joy, and faithfulness. In a journal entry she wrote years ago, she trusted “the One who can work everything for our good (Romans 8:28)”, which we take comfort in.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Donald Jester; three siblings, Constance Boyle, John Hancock Jr., and Zerelda Tierney; and many other aunts, uncles, in-laws, cousins, and friends. We are imagining the wonderful reunion they are having, hopefully over a bowl of ice cream.

She is survived by her daughter, Dara (Dale) Puryear; son, Farron (Amy) Jester; four grandchildren, Brayden (Ragan) Puryear, Breanna Puryear, Riley Jester, and Reagan Jester, and one great-granddaughter, Juniper Puryear – who has brought incredible joy to her life over the last 8 months. She wrote in a journal that she had many loves, but “most beloved were her children and the two sets of twins that followed”. She was the best mom and Nanny that we could have asked for and are grateful for the ways we remain connected to her through memories.

The family will receive friends Sunday, November 15, 2026 from 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM at Union Grove Baptist Church. Her funeral service will follow the visitation at 3:00 PM with Rev. Kenny Gooden and Dr. Dale Hancock officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family extends immense gratitude to Mountain Valley Hospice and aides from Care South for their compassionate care and for helping Hilda spend the last few months of her life in her home. She treasured her visits from a special friend, Angie Shore, every couple of weeks. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Union Grove Baptist Church’s Wednesday night food ministry, as she was so touched by the hot meals brought to her in the last year.

Gentry Family Funeral Service of Yadkinville is serving the Jester family.