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Charlotte Ann Austin Jester, beloved wife, mother, Grana, and devoted friend, walked confidently into Heaven and into the arms of her Savior on January 6, 2025, surrounded by her precious husband and loving family.  She was 90 years young.  Her life of faith, servanthood, hospitality and generosity was evident to all she encountered.  She battled congestive heart failure the last few years of her life, never giving up, and always hoping that the Lord would heal her.  And that He did, she is whole and free!

Charlotte was born in Pantego, Texas, on September 26,1934, to Ralph W. Austin and Stella Mays Austin.  She was part of a very large extended family from birth, and did all she could through phone calls, emails and texts to maintain those relationships until the day she passed.  Charlotte graduated from Arlington High School in 1953, after having served as Drum Major her Junior and Senior years.  She attended Hardin Simmons University, where she was a Resident Assistant in her dorm and graduated in 1957 with a B.S. in Elementary Education.

In January, 1955, with the help of a five cent birthday card and a three cent stamp, she reconnected with Bob Jester, who she met through Bible Memory Camp at the age of 14.  She often said that those eight cents turned out to be the best investment she ever made. They were married on July 6, 1957, at Pantego Bible Church, in Pantego, Texas, after which they promptly left for Bob's job in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. During Bob's 2 year service as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey, they moved to Wisconsin, Tennessee, and then Florida, where Charlotte taught school for one year. His career as a Civil Engineer led them to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 1959 and Pascagoula, Mississippi in 1965. 1975 saw a move to Houston, Texas.

The Jester family joined Champion Forest Baptist Church on her birthday, September 26, 1976.  Through the years, Charlotte served in Children's Choir as a pianist and was active in Current Missions, VBS and with the Hospitality Committee. She was most proud of her service on the Building Committee for Phase 1 of the existing CFBC facility.

From 1977-2002, Charlotte joyfully followed Bob to the ends of the Earth, literally.  He worked in 8 countries, and she was able to live with him in Venezuela, Singapore, Oman, Qatar and London.  She loved the extensive traveling they were able to do while living overseas.  Charlotte loved ancient ruins, architecture that took her breath away, the wildlife that lived and flew in different climates, and the opportunity to try new foods and immerse herself in different cultures.  Wherever they lived, they attended bible studies and if there was not a church, they helped to plant one.  Bob and Charlotte retired to the Magnolia, Texas area in December of 2002.

Their retirement house on the lake was the third house designed and "built by" Charlotte. It brought to their lives everything that they both loved and longed for.   Deer that looked into their windows, birds that populated their backyard feeders, and the most scenic view across the water that brought peace and serenity. Charlotte and her coffee spent every morning by the window, soaking it all in.

Charlotte could sew a delicate garment as well as wield a Phillips head screwdriver, all while wearing her favorite shade of lipstick. She loved all things ocean and seashells, along with butterflies and hummingbirds.  Much to our chagrin, she possessed bat-like hearing and no sound escaped her.  Seafood was her go to and she made a mean gumbo and could broil a flounder blindfolded.  But her most amazing trait was her ability to fully and unconditionally love everyone with the love of Jesus.

She is survived by her devoted and beloved husband of 67.5 years, Bob; her daughters, Lucretia (John) Adams, Melissa (Stan) Frazier and Nannette Burrage; her sons, Bobby (Deloris) Jester, Jr. and Larry (Ellen) Jester.  Also surviving are 17 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren, all of whom she cherished time with and called her Grana.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Mission Arlington at www.MissionArlington.org, a non-profit organization serving the Arlington and the DFW Metroplex area, founded by her college roommate and husband in 1986.  Click the red donation button to donate in the name of Charlotte Jester.

Acknowledgements will be sent to Bob Jester, 31918 Spinnaker Run, Magnolia, Texas 77354.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 18, 2025, at Champion Forest Baptist Church, 15555 Stuebner Airline Road, Houston, TX 77069, with Pastors Scott Riling and Jarrett Stephens officiating. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service, beginning at 10 a.m. A graveside service will immediately follow the funeral  at Klein Memorial Park on FM 2920, Tomball.

Serving as pallbearers are Kaden Burrage, Christopher Frazier, Austin Adams, Dillon Bright, Walker Jester, Sam Jester, and Matthew Jester.