Joe Ned Nester

Joe Ned Nester, 82, formerly of Laurel and Soso, died Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at the State Veterans Home in Collins, MS. Graveside services and burial will be Friday, February 1, 2013, at 9 a.m. at Union Line Cemetery, Soso. The memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Laurel. Rev. Gene Horton will officiate. Joe was born February 4, 1930, to Leonard and Mattie Read Nester at Dushau in Jasper County. He graduated from Bay Springs High School, attended Jones Junior College, and received a BS in Geological Engineering from the University of Mississippi. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War. He worked with Pan American Petroleum as a geologist in Tyler, Texas before returning to Soso to operate a family business and farm. As a young businessman in Soso, he was actively involved in getting the town incorporated and served as an Alderman. He also helped to organize the Soso Water System, serving several years on the Water Board, and the Soso Volunteer Fire Department. After selling the business, he was employed by Jones Junior College. He retired as a Field Director with the MS State Oil and Gas Board. After retirement he was actively engaged in operating a tree farm. Joe was a member of First United Methodist Church, Laurel where he served on the Administrative Board and was a member of the Wesley Sunday School Class. He was also a member of the Soso Masonic Lodge, Soso O.E.S., and the Soso American Legion Post 102. He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Betty Rasberry Nester, his parents, and a sister-in-law, Brenda Mott Nester. A loving and devoted husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather and brother, he will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Lauren and Donnie Zumwalt of Starkville, and their children, Collin Zumwalt of Little Rock, AR, and Casey and Laura Zumwalt of Memphis, TN; and son, Bill Nester of Hot Springs, AR, and his children Caroline, Anna Lauren, Mattie Read, Jonah and Luke Nester; one brother and sister-in-law, Jon and Johncie Nester of Louin; and niece and nephews, Jodi Chancelor, Bryce Nester and Todd Nester. Grandsons, nephews, Sandy Stephens and Tommy Miller will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Todd Chancelor, Rickey Hill, Howard Robertson, Dexter Parker, Danny Nelson, Charles Pendarvis, David Miller, Broadmoor neighbors, and the Wesley Sunday School Class. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 956. Laurel, MS 39441, or Veterans Outreach, 15 Pritchett Drive, Collins, MS 39428. Visitation will be held from 5 until 8 p.m. Thursday, January 31, 2013 at Memory Chapel of Laurel which is in charge of the arrangements.

Joe Ned Nester

February 4, 1930 - January 29, 2013