Hester Wooldridge

Hester Dean Wooldridge, 92, of Paragould, passed from this life on Wednesday, November 30, 2022. She was born in England, Arkansas, on January 25, 1930, to the late Wallace and Reba Powell McPherson. She married Thomas Harley Wooldridge on December 8, 1948. Together, they owned Wooldridge Grocery for years. Later, she began a pecan cracking business and became know as "The Pecan Lady". She and Harley loved to travel, and they always enjoyed a good square dance. Hester also enjoyed attending the Round Up in Brookland. She was active with the B.E.E.S. Senior Citizens for several years. Hester was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Randy Wooldridge; and brother, Delmer Ray McPherson.

Hester is survived by her daughter, Kathy (Thomas) Graber of Paragould; son, Rick (Karen) Wooldridge of Paragould; granddaughters, Michaelina Edgar of Paragould and Jana McFadden of Jonesboro; great granddaughters, Tabitha (Brandon) Trowbridge and Sylvia Edgar; great-great granddaughter, Skylar Trowbridge; brothers, Ireland (Billie) McPherson and Oather McPherson, both of Michigan; sister, Dorothy Rudi of Paragould; and sister-in-law, Mary McPherson of Southaven, Mississippi.

The family will receive friends Saturday from 10-12 at Heath Funeral Home. The funeral begins at 12 PM with Tim Wooldridge officiating. Burial will follow in Shiloh Cemetery.