Ms. Hester Savage James Besteda

Quietly and peacefully, Hester (Savage) James Besteda, 97, entered the Church Triumphant on December 17, 2024 at her home in the Saint Camillus retirement community in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Ms. Hester was born March 7, 1927 in Memphis Tennessee, the oldest of ten children born to Archie and Mattie (Hester) Savage. From an early age, Hester showed an affinity toward and a talent for playing the piano. Music was a big part of Ms. Hester’s life with formal music instruction beginning at age four and her first performance at age five. Ms. Hester continued to perform and teach music into her 97th year. At the age of 17, Ms. Hester graduated from Booker T. Washington High School of Memphis. She completed one year of college at LeMoyne-Owen College (Memphis) before transferring to Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Ms Hester met both her future husbands at Dillard University. She married Lionel James in 1950. They had 3 daughters (Andrea, Lisa and Cynthia). They later divorced in 1973. She married Walter Besteda in 1981. Walter entered the Church Triumphant in 2011. As they were in life, Ms. Hester and Walter are side-by-side, now in the Columbarium at Crossroads Presbyterian Church, in Mequon Wisconsin. Ms. Hester and husband Lionel attended graduate school at Louisiana State University (LSU) in the early 50’s. Their applications to LSU were accepted by the Administration, sight unseen. They became the first black students to integrate LSU graduate school in their respective programs. After completing her studies in Louisiana, Ms. Hester and her husband Lionel James moved to Wisconsin. She went to work for Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) where she developed and taught special music programs to grade school students. She retired from MPS as Director of the Arts at Elm Creative Arts School after teaching hundreds of young students. Quite a few of her public school and private students have achieved fame and acclaim in the fine arts. Ms. Hester was generous with her time in Milwaukee’s music community. She served on the Milwaukee Symphony Board (She encouraged the orchestra to perform at Andrea’s high school, and they graciously did.), the Ozaukee County Fine Arts Council, the Civic Music Association of Milwaukee and accompanied the Jubilee Community Choir for 18 years. Ms. Hester remained active in her service organizations until she entered assisted living. Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority recently honored her as a “Diamond” sorority sister for seventy-five years of service. She most recently served the Epsilon Kappa Omega chapter in Milwaukee, WI, where she was known for musical talent and class. Ms. Hester was inducted into Cream City (Wisconsin) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated in 1992. In March of 2022, she became a platinum member, which is the highest honor afforded to an active member. During her membership, she served on the Services to Youth and international trends and services facets. She was a renowned pianist who played at each induction since joining the Organization until she was unable to do so. She was preceded in death by husband Walter Besteda, daughter Lisa James, step-daughter Karen Besteda Rose, brothers Archie Lee Walker, Youlon Savage, Dr. Archie B. Savage Jr., Zohn Savage, Shelby Gene Savage, Dr. Daniel Savage and brothers-in-law Jim Foote Sr and Dr. George A. Winfield. She is survived by daughters Andrea James (Steven Lindsey) of Texas, Cynthia (Glen) DeVore of Minnesota; step-children David Besteda of Illinois and Constance Besteda of Illinois; grandchildren James (Elaine) Daly III of California, Lindsay Stuiber of California, Lauren (Richard) Campbell of England, Ashley (Blaise) Aldana of Arizona, Trevor Stuiber of New Mexico, Annelise DeVore (J. Joseph Steinworth III) of California, Glen DeVore III of North Carolina, Danielle (Shane) Quesada of Minnesota; sisters Canary Girardeau of Maryland, Rosetta Foote of California, Mary Mitchell of Wisconsin, and Cecelia Dade-Winfield of Maryland; sisters-in-law Susan Savage of Connecticut, Sandra Savage of Wisconsin; eleven great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. The memorial service will be held at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 1100 N. Astor Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin on April 5 at 1:30 pm, followed by a reception at the church. Before service begins, Ms. Hester will be honored by her Alpha Kappa Alpha and Links sisters at Immanuel Presbyterian Church. Ceremonies begin at 12:30 PM.

Ms. Hester Savage James Besteda

March 7, 1927 - December 17, 2024