Woodrow Wilson "Red" Vester

Woodrow Wilson Vester

May 21, 1916 – October 14, 2013

Woodrow Wilson “Red” Vester left his earthly home on Monday evening at Autumn Care in Nashville to join his heavenly family.  Funeral services will be conducted 3 p.m. Friday at Sandy Cross United Methodist Church, Nashville.  Interment will follow in the Joyner Family Cemetery, Joyner Road, Elm City.  The Rev. Ralph Brown and Rev. Ron Gurganus will officiate.   The family will receive friends 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. prior to the service at Sandy Cross United Methodist Church, 3725 Sandy Cross Road, Nashville and other times at the home of Ben Vester.   Woodrow was born May 21, 1916 in Nash County where he lived most of his life.  He is preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Martha Christine Joyner Vester; his parents, Benjamin and Pattie Lou Hinton Vester; his siblings, Ora Lillian Deans, Brownie Helen, Sussie Ann, Al Austin, Bob Glenn and Wade Hampton Vester.   Woodrow is survived by his daughter, Starlette Faye Vester Dozier (Eddie) of Greenville; his son, Benjamin Woodrow Vester (Diane) of Elm City; his grandchildren that cherished their Papa, Robin Woodrow Vester (Marcy) of Red Oak, Jonathan Steven Vester (Amy) of Elm City, Kristinia Ruth Vester Griffin (Josh) of Louisburg, Susanne Starlette Dozier Mullis (Michael) of Greenville and Christopher Edward Dozier (Michelle) of Meriden, New Hampshire; his great-grandchildren, Olivia and Collin Vester of Houston, Texas, Baeden, Lachlan, August and Phoebe Vester of Elm City, Gabriel and Matthew Mullis of Greenville, Natalie and Mallory Griffin of Louisburg; his sisters-in-law, Lucille Vester of Rocky Mount and Blanche Joyner of Elm City; numerous nieces and nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews.   Woodrow worked hard to provide for his family during World War II, he helped to build a Marine Glider Base and POW camps in Edenton, barracks at Cherry Point Marine Air Station, airplane hangars at Seymour Johnson AFB and minesweepers at Barbour Boat in New Bern.  After the war, Woodrow, a carpenter built houses with Troy Malpass in Wilson.  In 1947 he bought a 1937 Dodge truck in poor repair.  He became the “fish man” as he traveled through Nash County selling fish to the country people.  “Some of the happiest days” he always said.   In 1949 the Vester family moved back to the Joyner family farm and Woodrow farmed for the remainder of his working life.  He loved the land, whether growing tobacco or an acre of vegetable garden.  He was a farmer with a passion.  Whether it was a good year or bad year, he worked the land diligently and kept the faith.  Late in the 1960’s he worked the second shift at Burlington Industries and continued to farm until he retired at the age of 70.   Besides loving and caring for his family, Woodrow loved God and his people.  He became an assistant Boy Scout Master for Troop 363 at Sandy Cross Methodist Church.  Woodrow was a founding father of North Carolina Wesleyan College in 1957.  In later years, he participated as a leader of Special People and for 18 years, Nash Manor Nursing Home Ministry of Nashville United Methodist Church.   Anyone who knew Woodrow will tell you he was a people person, always trying to help his fellow man, and tell you a wonderful story.   Woodrow enjoyed a self-reliant productive life as he journeyed through 97 years of much hard work, building, farming and public work, celebrating the many gifts of God and sharing himself with others.   Flowers are welcome or memorials may be directed to the charity of one’s choice.   Condolences may be directed to www.joyners.net.