Gilda Spake Hester, age 72, of Rutherfordton, NC, passed away on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at Rutherford Regional Medical Center.

A lifelong resident of Rutherford County, she was the daughter of the late Donald Spake and Lorena Bridges Spake. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Cynthia Spake Ford, and her nephew, Brad Ford. Gilda was devoted to her family and deeply cherished her dogs.

She is survived by her husband of nearly 27 years, Russel Hester; her daughter, Laura Helms Clary; her stepdaughter, Emily Hester Southards (Michael); two grandchildren, Cole Easton Murray (Krysta), and Carson Merrill; one great-grandchild, Eliase Gabriel Murray; and her nephew, Grant Preston Ford.

The family will hold a private celebration of life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. McMahan's Funeral Home & Crematory.