Jon Edward Nester, 84 of Fouke, MS, passed away Monday, July 24, 2023, at South Central Regional Medical Center in Laurel, MS. He was born December 7, 1938, in Fouke, Mississippi.
Visitation will be held on Friday, July 28, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Read`s Chapel on 2272 MS Hwy 18 Louin, MS. Graveside services will be held on Friday, July 28, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Read`s Chapel Cemetery. Bro. Leo Beatty will officiate. Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Bay Springs is in charge of arrangements. 601-764-2181
Jon Edward was humble, honest, and a hardworking man; a Cattle Farmer and Custom Home Builder, born, raised and resided in Fouke, Mississippi, until the last 13 months of his life where he resided at Jasper General Nursing Home due to health decline caused by dementia. Cattle Farming was his “hobby” and relaxation from “work”; as a beef cattle farmer he was a member of the local and state cattlemen’s association.
He was a licensed building contractor, and following in the footsteps and trade of his father, in 1963 he began his own career of building custom houses by first building a home for his family at Fouke, and over the course of about 45 years, thereafter, he built an untold number of homes for many families in over nine counties of MS. He supported local hardware/lumber stores in the primary areas where he had work, developing strong friendship with the owners and employees of Alexander’s of Bay Springs, Kirkland’s of Quitman, and Kimbrell-Ruffer of Meridian, as well as trusted relationships with other local vendors and subcontractors of the building trade, and mentored others in the profession.
He was involved in his children’s education, supporting their endeavors in band and athletics as well as the district as a whole by serving on the West Jasper School Board for over 20 years. It was his goal that his children graduate from college, and he worked hard and sacrificed for them to do so as he had attended Jones County Junior College, studying Animal Husbandry, while working for Masonite on a survey crew prior to taking up the trade of building construction. He was very proud of the two engineers and special education instructor his children became.
Through the years, he became one of the patriarchs of Read’s Chapel Methodist Church where he was raised and served the Lord and his community and ensured both he and his family attended regularly and is where his children were introduced and accepted Christ as their Savior, too.
Jon Edward was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Mattie Read Nester; brother Joe (Betty Rasberry) Nester; in-law’s Gerald and Glenda Rogers; and the first love of his life, Brenda Mott Nester.
He is survived by his second spouse, Johncie Parker Nester and her family. He is also survived by his children: Bryce (Teresa Stallings) Nester, Jodi (Todd) Chancelor, Todd (Brandi Carter) Nester, and his mentored son, Sandy Stephens; his grandchildren: Emily Nester, Abby (Justin) Sollie, Tyler (Bethany) Chancelor, Jessi (Renee) Delvalle, Tyler Hale, Baylee Nester, Annie Nester, Mason Winans, Bowen Winans, and Jackson Winans; great-grandchildren: Owen Lamar Chancelor, Evelyn Chancelor, and Marley Joyce Sollie. He is also survived by nieces and nephews: Lauren Nester Zumwalt, Bill Nester, Stacy Rogers, and Debra Rogers Walters and their families and host of cousins.
Pallbearers will be Bryce Nester, Todd Nester, Sandy Stephens, Rene Read, Mike Lawson, and Jerry Stephens.
In lieu of flowers/gifts, the family encourages you to give to a local church or charity of your choice or those affected by recent severe storms.
An online guestbook may be signed at www.colonialchapelbaysprings.com.
Submitted by Colonial Chapel Bay Springs
