Wednesday, August 19, 2026 11:29 am

Richard Steve Hester, 77, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 14, 2026 at home surrounded by his family.

Steve was born on February 18, 1949 in Gaston County, NC a son of the late John Clifton Hester and Annie Bell Whitworth Hester. He was retired after 22 years with Freightliner. Steve was a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church in Cherryville where he served as a deacon. He was a handyman and enjoyed helping others, working on old cars and lawnmowers. Steve was a family man and had a great love for his family and enjoyed fishing with his grandchildren.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two sons, Danny and Scott Huffman; a grandson, Brandon Huffman; a sister, Shirley Gales; a brother, Hillard Hester and a brother-in-law Richard Pruitt.

Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Sue Crow Hester of the home; a son, Richie Hester (Kristy); a daughter-in-law, Heidi Huffman; a sister, Brenda Pruitt; a sister-in-law Margie Hester; a granddaughter, Kristen Brown (Doyle); seven great grandchildren, Luke, Kate and Eli Brown, Izabella, Kingston, Journey and Phoenix Huffman; a special niece who was like a daughter, Lisa Hastings (Kevin).

The family will receive friends from 5:00PM to 7:00PM on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at Stamey-Cherryville Funeral Home and at other times the family will be at the home.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00PM on Thursday, August 20, 2026 at Oak Grove Baptist Church in Cherryville with the Rev. Jack Calloway officiating.

Burial will follow the service at City Memorial Cemetery in Cherryville.

Memorials may be made to Oak Grove Baptist Church, PO Box 156, Cherryville, NC 28021 or to VIA Health Partners -Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC 28150 or donate online at viagiving.org/donating.

A guest register is available at www.stameycherryvillefuneralhome.com

Stamey-Cherryville Funeral Home & Cremation Service is serving the Hester family.