Barbara Ellen Matlock Hester

Barbara Ellen Westmoreland Matlock Hester was born on February 3, 1937 to Robert Westmoreland and Mary (Wages) Westmoreland.  She was one of 5 children, and is preceded in death by her sister Ann Chamberlain.  Her surviving siblings are Mickey Westmoreland, Donnie Westmoreland, and June Brimhall.

She attended Lilbourn High School and graduated in 1955.  In the same year she married Lloyd McNeal Matlock, who preceded her in death.  Together they had one daughter, Sherry Kay Matlock Hillis, who preceded her in death.  She leaves behind one granddaughter, Summer McNeal Hillis Beauregard and grandson-in-law Adam Beauregard of Kissimmee, Florida.  She also leaves behind one great granddaughter Stevie McNeal Beauregard and one great-great-grandson, Moon.  She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews that she truly loved.

She worked at the Division of Social Services helping in-home daycares, and was a co-owner of Matlock Car Sales in Catron.

For many years she was an active member of Catron Baptist Church.  In her later years, after moving to Florida, she attended Calvary Chapel Merritt Island with her granddaughter and grandson-in-law.

Barbara loved to travel to new places and enjoyed trips to Europe and Australia.  She enjoyed meeting and talking to new people, and made friends wherever she went.  She shared her love and generosity with others.

After the passing of her husband, Lloyd, she married James “Pete” Hester who passed away last year.  She was a beloved step-mother and step-grandmother of the Hester family.

A Celebration of Life service will be held February 9, 2024 at Catron Baptist Church in Catron, MO.  A visitation is scheduled for 10:00 am-11:00 am, with the service starting at 11:00 am.  There will be a private burial at Mounds Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Dementia Society of America.

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