Virginia Lee Hester, age 86, died peacefully on Sunday afternoon, October 21, 2012, in Houston, Texas.

Virginia was born to Emmit and Cora McWaters on May 3, 1926, in Houston, Texas. She grew up in the Heights area, suffering the hardships of the depression. After World War II, she married her husband, Bruce. They began their family of four children, and a life of travel and hard work. Living in 26 states throughout the country, along with Vancouver, Canada, Virginia spent time working for a lawyer, a newspaper, and opened her own business, "Gourmet's Kitchen", in the '80's. Her business offered fine cooking supplies and cooking classes from acclaimed chefs, such as Jacques Pepin. She became well known in the market place with the help of her youngest son, Kirk Hester. She closed her business to focus on her family, proving the extent of her devotion as a wife and mother. She enjoyed a life full of sports as a tennis player, bowler and avid golfer. She never missed an Astros game, being one of the biggest baseball fans that ever existed. Maui, Hawaii was her favorite place to vacation, yet she loved to travel anywhere.

Virginia is survived by her eldest son, Perry Reagan Hester and wife Yolanda of Houston, Texas; eldest daughter Lynn Allison Plentl and husband Roger, of Caldwell, Texas; youngest son Kirk Reagan Hester and wife Monique, of Mandeville, Louisiana; and youngest daughter Lori Lee Scott and husband Jerry of Houston, Texas; granddaughters: Amanda Lee VanWaters, Chelsi Paige Pierson, Ashley Laurel Plentl, Sydney DeLuna-Hester and Courtney Bradberry-Hester; great-grandchildren:
Ava Marie VanWaters and Wyatt James VanWaters, Samuel Roy Plentl and Jordan Thomas Plentl, Avery Lee Pierson and Beau Reagan Pierson and Ashton Royce Gonzalez. Virginia is also survived by her sister's loving children: Melissa Lee Jacobs, Melanie Lynn Pever and Timothy Charles Zoelle. Virginia was preceded in death by her loving husband, Bruce, in 2006.

The funeral service and interment will be private at Memorial Oaks Cemetery.