Norman Lawrence Hester, 74, of Bennettsville, a retired pastor and Air Force veteran, died Dec. 17, 2009.
Born in Durham, N.C., he was a 1979 graduate of New Orleans Baptist Seminary.
He retired after 20 years of service from the U.S. Air Force as a technical sergeant. He served his country in Vietnam and received several service medals.
He was a Southern Baptist minister for many years. His South Carolina pastorates included Clio First Baptist Church and Catfish Creek Baptist Church in Latta. He also served as a chaplain with Agape Hospice in Bennettsville.
He was a member of Salem Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and was Sunday school director. He was an avid sports fan and especially enjoyed golf.
Survivors include his wife, Catherine Marie Hester, three children and eight grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter.