Hester Louise Davis Cook, 93, of Liberty Township, OH, passed away on August 25, 2026. She was born on July 20, 1933, to Thomas and Susan Davis in Gowensville, SC. Hester was a graduate of Campobello High School and earned a Bachelor of Science from Winthrop College and a Masters from the University of North Carolina.

Hester cultivated a long teaching career with the majority of her professional life being spent at Palmetto High School, Williamston, SC. She taught math at the highest secondary levels. Even though she often told her students, “I’m not here to be your best friend but to teach you math,” she still built life long relationships with her students by showing care and compassion and earning their respect for her knowledge and efforts to help and encourage every student to always put forth their best effort. She was a life long learner and motivated those around her to do likewise. Her curiosity and zest for life were displayed daily in her constant reading, questioning and efforts to understand and improve her knowledge and life for herself and those she held dear.

Hester was an avid puzzler, card and game player. She was competitive, so you always knew you were in for a scuffle, and “letting you win” was not in her plans. Crochet was also a favorite past time. Many who knew her have cherished afghans, baby blankets and caps, scarves or pot holders. Hester enjoyed a robust social calendar which included book clubs, Welcomer’s club, church activities, afternoon card clubs and Mahjong. She cherished her faith and was a member of Liberty Heights Church where she enjoyed worship and building friendships with other church members.

Hester was a diehard North Carolina Tarheels fan, especially in basketball. Her favorite color was Carolina Blue. There were many friendly arguments among the family when ACC teams met on the field or court.

Her most cherished memories were made spending time with family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. We are so grateful to have had her as a guide for such a blessed amount of time.

Her family would like to extend a special thanks to the nursing staff at Chesterwood Nursing facility in West Chester, OH. Their care and compassion over the last year gave peace of mind to family as well as helping to provide the best quality of life through activities, hugs and daily care. It was a gift to our entire family to have them in our lives.

Hester is survived by her son, John Cook and his wife Tammy and their children Avery Veracco and her husband John of Columbus, Ohio and Ethan Cook of Covington, Kentucky; Grandson, Daniel Pitts and his wife Ruth and children Dan Jr. and Hadassah of Cedar Hill, Texas; Granddaughter, Sarah Ward and her husband Jim and children James, William and Hannah of Grants, New Mexico; Granddaughter Erin Pitts and grandson Sam Pitts of Spartanburg, South Carolina. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilton Cook and daughter Dr. Jane Pitts.

A gathering will be held on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at Hodapp Funeral Home, 6410 Cincinnati Dayton Road, Liberty Township, OH. Memorial Visitation will begin at 2pm and is open to the public, with the service to follow at 3pm at the same location. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Reach Out Lakota, an organization which serves many needs throughout our community. http://reachoutlakota.org/donate/donate-money.html

Inurnment will be in Anderson, South Carolina. Arrangements will be made for visitation and a graveside service and details will be updated when confirmed.

Hester will be cherished and remembered daily by those who cared for her. She is intricately, permanently woven into each of our tapestries. We will miss her deeply, but rejoice that she is whole again in mind and body.