Hester Mai Ladd Keller

September 21, 1921 - October 24, 2008

Mrs. Hester Ladd Keller, 87, of Jonesboro, formerly of Trumann died Friday, October 24, 2008 at Ridgecrest Health and Rehab Nursing Center in Jonesboro. Mrs. Keller was born in Cardwell, MO., and had lived in Trumann for 61 years and was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Trumann. Mrs. Keller graduated from Arkansas State University in 1963 majoring in Elementary education. She taught school for over 30 years at Cardwell, Mo., in the Southland School system where she was known as Mrs. Hester Mai. She was an avid reader who loved to work word puzzles. She was awarded the Literacy Teacher Award for NEA while volunteering at the Trumann Elementary School. Mrs. Keller was preceded in death by her husband, Dorse Keller, and her parents, James Fountain and Annie Mai Lester Ladd; three sisters, Wayver Brewer, Edith Ruthford, and Naomi Elmore and one brother, Debs Ladd. Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Dr. James L. and Caroline Keller of Greenville, S. Carolina; three grandchildren, Dixie Ladd Keller, James Venable Keller and Gabrielle Keller. Funeral services will be Tuesday morning October 28, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. in the chapel of Thompson Funeral Home in Trumann with Rev. Charles Cooper officiating. Burial will follow in the Keller