Mrs. Hester R. McNamara, 92, of Barbourville, passed away Friday afternoon, July 11, 2025 at the Barbourville ARH Hospital. She was born October 16, 1932 at Stinking Creek, the daughter of the late Nealy and Ida Brown Rose.
Hester was a former cook with the Knox County Hospital and a member of the Heritage of Truth Church and loved the Lord. She enjoyed singing, listening to Elvis and having a good laugh. She most loved spending time with her grandchildren.
On March 29, 1956, she united in marriage with James McNamara, who preceded her in death.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by daughters, Carolyn Sue Warren, Brenda Medlin and Barbara Bays; sisters, Gladys Mills and Donna Rose; brothers, Bleve, William and Po Rose and wife, Bessy; grandson, James Tye; great-granddaughter, Dulce Morales and a special son-in-law, Clifton Hayes.
Survivors include her loving children, Teresa Hayes, Linda Tye, Joyce McNamara and Terry McNamara; sisters, Versie, Lonnie, Wanda, Molly, Joyce, Michelle and Fran; brother, Harold Rose; cherished grandchildren, Angie Taylor and husband, Greg, Casey Burnett and husband, Ivan, Kristin Broughton and husband, Zack, Amy Hayes, Crystal Hayes and husband, Dustin, Ashley Croley and husband, Michael, Kayla Partin and husband, Danny, Shawn Hayes and wife, Jenay, George Tye and wife, Lori, Shane Tye, Brittany Mills and husband, Adam, Terri Lynn Mills, Bradley Warren, Shaunna Medlin, Jack Medlin and Josh Medlin and wife, Stephanie; great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, Bree Taylor and fiancé, Lonnie, Jathan Taylor and wife, Camille, Desarai and husband, Tim, Destiney, Nick Medlin, Kyra, Brandon, Natalie, Ryan, Charlee, Jesse, Kenzie and husband, Cameron, Connor and wife, Karmen, Cameron, Laci, Ally, Jonah, Kaleb, Serenity, Isaiah, Grace, Jacob, Shawn, Avilyn, Payton, Tristen, Morgan, Ryan, Karsen, Nick, Brody, Kason, Kade, Kamden, Aiden, Abbigail, Madison, Hazel, Colton, Kash, Dominic, Damien, Diamond, Demetria, Deluca, Grayson, Mckinlea, Ivan, Evan, Karsyn and Kenton; special friends, Freda Mills, Jean Carton, Elinor Lawrence, Angie Elliott, Kenny McKee and Buffy from the nursing home; among other loved ones and dear friends.
Her funeral service will be conduced in the chapel of the Knox Funeral Home Friday, July 18 at 1 P.M. with Rev. Paul Rhodes and Rev. Dillon Croley officiating. She will be laid to rest in the Barbourville Cemetery.
Casket bearers will be Jerry Mitchell, Fred Mitchell, Albert Mills, Johnny Mills, Ivan Burnett Jr. and Tommy Click.
Friends may visit at the funeral home Friday after 11 A.M. until the funeral hour.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Knox Funeral Home.
Send a condolence to the family of HESTER R. MCNAMARA.
For questions about our obituaries or condolence service, please contact us. You may reach us via e-mail at knoxfuneralhome@barbourville.com. Reach us via phone by calling 606-546-2222.