Sharon Kay Kester-Fair

Services for Sharon Kay Kester-Fair, 82, were held
at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, at the First
Baptist Church in Abernathy, Texas with Rev. Damon
Pearce officiating. A graveside service followed at 3
p.m. at Bell Cemetery in Odell, Texas officiated by
Jerry Dunson. Visitation was held at Abell Funeral
Home on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022. Services and
burial were under the direction of Abell Funeral
Home & Flower Shop of Abernathy, Tx.
Sharon passed away on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022.
She was born in Vernon, Texas on Aug. 29, 1940, to
Johnny and Helen (Condon) Shelton. She graduated
from Odell High School in 1958, and then completed
her education at West Texas State University, earning
a bachelor’s degree in business and a master’s degree
in education.
Sharon married Max Kester of Odell, Texas on Oct. 7, 1961, and they had two
daughters, Helen and Ashley.
Sharon lived a life of service and leaves behind a legacy of love. She taught
general business classes to high school students for thirty years, beginning at
Canyon High School from 1964 to 1966, and then at Vernon High School from
1966 to 1969. After staying home to take care of her daughters for nine years,
most of her career was spent teaching at Abernathy High School from 1978 to
2003, where she was also the UIL coordinator for 20 years. She dedicated her life
to the success of her students and to making a difference in their lives. She treated
every student with dignity and respect, and she made every effort to always treat
everybody like they were somebody.
Sharon loved Abernathy and the people in it. She served on the Abernathy City
Council from 2010 to 2015, and she served as the first female mayor of
Abernathy from 2015 to 2019. She was also a volunteer and active member of
many civic organizations in Abernathy, including the Chamber of Commerce,
Lion’s Club, American Legion and Senior Citizens.
She and her husband of 33 years, Steven Fair, were members of the First
Baptist Church, where they were married on Nov. 4, 1989. They enjoyed traveling
together and watching Abernathy athletics and all of their children and
grandchildren play ball. She loved basketball and tennis, and she was an avid
bridge player who always loved playing with her friends.
Sharon is preceded in death by her parents, Johnny and Helen Shelton. She is
survived by her husband, Steven; two children, Helen Pope and husband Todd of
Shallowater, Tx. Ashley Cox and husband Jeff of Olton, Tx; four grandchildren,
Katelyn Stone and husband Logan of Shallowater, Tx., Kandace Pope of
Lubbock, Tx., and Charlie Cox and Olivia Cox of Olton,Tx., and one greatgrandchild,
Griffyn Stone. Sharon is also survived by four siblings, Pat Shelton
and wife Sharron of Odell, Tx., Janora Dunson and husband Jerry of Lubbock,
Tx., Holly Winburn of Beeville, Tx., and Cindy Snell of Lubbock, Tx. She is also
survived by three stepchildren, Anne Fair of Fulton, Tx., Steve Fair and wife
Reena of Livingston, Tx., and DeLea Taylor and husband Jeff of Aztec, N.M.;
seven step-grandchildren, Jeffrey Thomas, T.J. Goolsby, Ty Goolsby, Bryan
Martinez, Tarra Reynolds, Jake Taylor, and Zach Taylor; and five step-greatgrandchildren.
The family suggests memorials be made to the First Baptist Church of
Abernathy 411 7th St. Abernathy, Tx. or the American Legion of Abernathy 322
Main Street Abernathy, Tx. 79311. Online condolences may be made at www.
AbellFuneralHome.com