Hester Brown Eby

Hester Brown Eby was born on May 2, 1957, in Centreville, MS, to the late Lucy Bell Brown and Evans Jim Brown. She departed this life surrounded by the love of her family.

Hester was baptized at an early age at Bleak House Baptist Church in Woodville, MS. She attended Wilkinson County High School in Woodville, MS.

On June 27, 1983, Hester was united in Holy Matrimony to Michael Eby. Together, they built a life centered on faith, family, and service. She later became a member of Afton Villa Baptist Church, where she faithfully served as an active choir member and later as Choir President.

Hester was well known throughout the community for her warm spirit and kind heart. She worked as a tour guide at The Myrtles for more than 30 years. After retiring, she frequently visited The Myrtles and continued sharing her passion for meeting people by working seasonally for American Cruise Lines.

Hester leaves to cherish her memory her devoted husband of 44 years, Michael Eby; and her seven children: Michael Eby II of Baton Rouge, LA; Ethan Brown of Arlington, TX; Shirley (Donald Ray) Young of St. Francisville, LA; Jerome (Kristy) Eby of St. Francisville, LA; Shaleta (Marcus) Spears of Baker, LA; Terrence Eby of St. Francisville, LA; and Annie Bell Eby of Zachary, LA; two brothers, John (Deloris) Williams of Kenner, LA, and Evans Williams of New Orleans, LA; three sisters, Marshell McAllister of Miami, FL; Audrey (Landbergh) Kaglear of Woodville, MS; and Rev. Eva Brown of Woodville, MS.

She also leaves to cherish seven sisters-in-law: Helen Collins and Rose (Pastor Milton) Coats, both of St. Francisville, LA; Lois Comena of Baton Rouge, LA; Nora Williams, both of Baker, LA; Phyllis (Robert) Wright of Zachary, LA; Frances Norwood of Baker, LA; and Lynn Eby of Baton Rouge, LA; four brothers-in-law: Lawrence Thrasher and Lawrence Eby, both of Baton Rouge, LA; Daryl (Sydney) Comena, Rhode Island; and Rocky (Tiffany) Makey, both of Dallas, TX; one aunt, Clara Ross of Woodville, MS; 24 grandchildren; several great­grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and dear friends.

Hester is preceded in death by her parents Lucy Bell Brown and Evans Jim Brown, one brother Wayne Powell, one sister, Shirley Brown; two brother-in-laws Wardell Williams and Jesse Williams, mother-in-law Annie Bell Williams, father-in-law Lawrence Eby, grandson Garrin Ford Jr, and great granddaughter Kaleigh Jones.

Hester had a way of making every person she met feel special and loved. She will truly be missed.