Hester Lockett

Hester Smith Lockett was born in Brenham on October 6, 1905, to Joseph Springer Smith & Hester Elizabeth Abbott. Mrs. Lockett was a lifelong member of St. Peter''s Episcopal Church in Brenham. She was educated in the Brenham public schools, LSU and graduated from the University of Texas. In 1923, Hester, a senior in Brenham High School, reigned as queen of the annual Maifest celebration with 27 year-old Reese B. Lockett. Although Hester remembered Reese from her earliest childhood, she recalled "he was so much older than I was, we really didn''t have much in common." The 1923 Maifest changed that, with the two taking an interest in one another. Hester & Reese were wed on August 14, 1928 in St. Peter''s Episcopal Church. The couple welcomed two children, Reese, Jr. and Hester. The wife of a rodeo star, wild west show performer, rancher, men''s-wear retailer and 28-year mayor of Brenham, Hester supported her husband throughout the development of State Highway 290, the establishment of Brenham Municipal Airport, a number of city development and improvement programs, as well as the beginning of the Salt Grass Trail Ride. A gracious presence in Brenham for 102 years, Hester died peacefully on the afternoon of Thursday, June 26, 2008 in Trinity Medical Center. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Reese B., Jr. & Suzanne Lockett of Houston; her daughter and son-in-law, Hester & the Right Rev. John Kirkham of Salsbury, Wilts, England. Hester is further survived by her grandchildren and their spouses: Hester & Bob Hodde, Wynn & Jim Dorsett, Anne & Taylor Pace, Thorne & Carmen Gregory, as well as fourteen great-grandchildren. Hester is also survived by a sister, Marion Sawyer of Houston. Mrs. Lockett is preceded in death by her husband, parents and two brothers. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 2, 2008 at 11 a.m. in St. Peter''s Episcopal Church in Brenham, officiated by Rev. Robert Gribble. Burial will be in Prairie Lea Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Myrv Cron, Mike Kalil, Bill Pennybacker, Ed Duckworth, Pat Elliot and Dr. Jack McLendon. Dr. W.F. Hasskarl will be considered an honorary pallbearer by the family. The family requests that in lieu of floral offerings, memorial contributions be made to St. Peter''s Episcopal Church; P.O. Box 937, Brenham, Texas 77834.