Extracted from The Savannah Morning News (Savannah, GA)
Sunday, January 7, 2018

Emily Whatley Hester Harber (1919 - 2017)

Emily Whatley Hester Harber, 98, of Savannah, passed away peacefully, Friday, December 29 in hospice. Emily was born on August 26, 1919, in Reynolds, GA, to Henry Clay and Claire Whatley. She is predeceased by her parents, her brother, Henry Clay, Jr., husbands, Judge Edward Hester and Tom Harber and one son, Thomas Clay Hester (Tommy).

Emily attended Shorter College and graduated with a BA in English from the University of Georgia, where she met her first husband, Judge Edward Hester. She raised her children in Ardsley Park and lived for many years on Tybee Island where she volunteered at the Tybee Lighthouse and was a member of Trinity Chapel. Emily loved crabbing and fishing on the Back River. She was the epitome of Southern charm, and delightfully witty, making those around her laugh often - a loving mother, grandmother and friend.

She is survived by her son, Edward (Sarah) Hester, her daughter, Virginia (Chip) Bishop, granddaughter Emily (Nick) Mirabile, grandsons Clay (Helen) Hester, Wesley (Jessica) Hester, Roosevelt Bishop, and three great-grandchildren, Fiona Bishop, Oscar Mirabile and Sanders Hester. Emily is also survived by four step-children, Kay (Jim) Reagan, Susan (Truitt) Martin, Tom (Lynne) Harber, Beth (Bob) Swett, and their families. Each of Emily's family members are forever indebted to and especially appreciative of the care and friendship of Bea Colley, Emily's caregiver in later life.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date. The family requests that remembrances be made to the Tybee Island Historical Society, 30 Meddin Drive, Tybee Island GA 31328.