Mr. Delmas William Jester Jr., 77, passed away Tuesday, May 31, 2022, surrounded by his loving family, at his home on Chincoteague Island. Born August 26, 1944, in Norfolk, he was the son of the late Delmas William Jester Sr. and Maude Miller Jester.
Raised in a military family native to the Eastern Shore, Delmas lived in New Jersey and Florida during much of his childhood, returning to Quinby upon his father’s discharge from active duty. He graduated from Central High School, class of 1962, and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, proudly marching in the footsteps of his namesake. Following honorable discharge in 1966, he returned home and began his 30-year career with Delmarva Power & Light, retiring as foreman in the late ’90s. He served his community as a Freemason for decades and led a life true to the Masonic principles of love, relief, and truth. He enjoyed boating and fishing, was infamous for his clam fritters and pound cakes, and loved college sports, always rooting for the underdog. His greatest joy in life was time spent with family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Delmas loved completely and equally, and in a way no one felt as if they came second. His life was a blessing to so many, and his legacy a gift to those he leaves behind.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Brenda Daisey Harris; daughters, Candie Jester Daffin and her husband, Bryan, of Onley, Ginger Jester of Salisbury, Md., Heather Jester Smith and her husband, Chris, of Salisbury, and Heidi Jester Shrieves and her husband, Daniel, of Cedar View Beach; stepchildren, Stacey Hart and her husband, Rob, of Snow Hill, Md., and Daniel Harris and his wife, Jennifer, of Blacksburg, Va.; brother, Wayne Jester, of Memphis, Tenn.; grandchildren, Kathy Shirk, Marie Maltba, Alex Farlow, Jessica Shirk, Alyssa DeYoung, Lindy Feeser, Wyatt and Vance Winther, Amber Smith, Jes Smith, Mattie Smith, Sophia Smith, Samuel Shrieves, and Luke and Lily Harris; 18 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews, who lovingly knew him as “Uncle Bubba”; and last, but not least, “Hope Daisey,” his loving pup. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his first wife and mother of his children, Vanette Jester; brother, Maurice Jester and his wife, Emily; and sister-in-law, Cynthia Jester.
Funeral services, with military honors, were conducted from the graveside at the Quinby Cemetery on Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at 2 p.m., with the Rev. Jonathan Carpenter officiating.
With great respect and much appreciation for the care and love provided by his nurses, Jessi, Bernice, and Calissa, the family requests donations in his memory be made to Riverside Shore Hospice, P.O. Box 616, Onley, VA 23418.
Memory tributes may be shared with the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com
Arrangements were by the Williams Funeral Homes, Onancock and Parksley.
