Funeral services celebrating the life of Tommie Grace Wilkerson Nester, 85, will be held Thursday, April 26, 2007 at Rose-Neath's Southside Chapel at 1:30 p.m. Officiating will be Reverend John Fleming of Emmanuel Baptist Church of Vivian, Louisiana. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery in Bossier City, Louisiana. The family will receive friends at the Rose-Neath Southside Thursday, April 26, 2007 from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service. Mrs. Nester passed away on Monday, April 23, 2007 in Carthage, Texas. Local arrangements are under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home.

Mrs. Nester was born in Gary, Texas on December 23, 1921 to Thomas and Ellie Wilkerson. Grace was a Baptist and was baptized in her teens in Carthage, Texas. She spent most of her life in Louisiana, both in Shreveport and Vivian working as a beautician. She loved all types of flowers and spent several years growing them for the enjoyment for herself and others by giving them away. Mrs. Nester was preceded in death by first husband, Tony Gay; Son, Ronnie Gay; Brothers, Royce, Wilton, Wallace and sister, Wilma Cope.

She is survived by husband Otis Nester; sisters, Ruth Allwhite and Kathleen Wilkerson; brothers, Harold and Eldon Wilkerson; sister-in-laws Margaret and Rose Mary and Helen Wilkerson; several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Kenneth Cope, Steve Nester, Daryl Nester, J.D. Nester, Steve Nester, Jr. and John Bertrand.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.