Beulah Hester

Beulah Cannon Hester, 98, of Danville died peacefully on July 2, 2026, in Danville, Kentucky. She was born on June 4, 1928, in White Plains, Kentucky, to the late Gaynos and Emma Cannon. Beulah devoted her life to education, working diligently as a dorm and house parent at the Kentucky School for the Deaf, where she touched the lives of countless students with her warmth, generosity, and nurturing spirit. Before she dedicated her career to Kentucky School for the Deaf, Beulah was also a student and was presented with an honorary diploma on May 26, 2023.

A charter member of the Danville Deaf Baptist Mission, Beulah was known for her unwavering faith and dedication to her church family. She was a pillar of the Deaf community in Danville, serving on and participating in numerous clubs and organizations for the Deaf. Her kindness and compassion will be remembered by all who knew her.

Beulah never had idle hands as she was strongly creative. She hand-sewed her daughter, Rita’s, and her daughter-in-law, Jeanne’s, wedding dresses and grandchildren’s holiday clothing. In addition, Beulah was self-taught in stained glass, creating beautiful pieces that have been enjoyed by many. While being endlessly creative, she entertained countless individuals with her ability to draw you into any story that she told.

Beulah is preceded in death by her loving husband, James T. Hester, their son, Donald Lee Hester and their grandson, James Daniel Hester. She is survived by her loving daughter, Rita Zirnheld (Doelan) Anderson, her son, David (Jeanne) Hester, grandchildren Dylan Hester, Evan Hester, Blair (Erik) Schwarz, Lindsay (Ryan) Spatola, and Halee (Robert) Coleman, her great-grandchildren Jack Coleman, Luke Coleman, Madelyn Coleman, Baylor Spatola, Allie Spatola, Reid Schwarz, Layne Schwarz and her dedicated caregivers, Candee Hamilton and Sarah Simpson. Special thank you to Chadwick and the Noel family for ensuring Beulah could attend church weekly. Her legacy will continue in the hearts of her family and friends.

Visitation will be Tuesday, July 7, 2026, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Lexington Avenue Baptist Church with a memorial service to follow at 4 p.m. She will be buried in the Old Paint Lick Cemetery with her husband, James, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Kentucky School for the Deaf Charitable Foundation in Beulah’s memory, ensuring her spirit of service continues to thrive.