Virginia Gail Hester, 77, of Bostwick, passed away on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at her home following an extended illness. Born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina to Forrest O. “Jack” and Emma Barnes, Gail graduated in 1958 from Elm City High School and in 1961 from Parkview Hospital School of Nursing. Shortly after graduating from nursing school, she began a lifelong career in nursing, beginning with her work with Dr. Milton Ende in Petersburg, VA. It is there where she assisted Dr. Ende with the ground breaking research utilizing cord blood to obtain a bone marrow transplant. After 25 years, Gail and her husband moved to Palatka, FL where she continued her career providing home health care and continued to provide care for her patients even after she received her terminal diagnosis. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, James M. Hester and a sister, Jacqueline “Jackie” Brooks. Gail is survived by her loving son, Jeffery Robertson and daughter-in-law Pamela of Crescent City, FL, her grandchildren, Joshua W. Robertson of Oakland Park, FL, Ashley N. Robertson of Providence Forge, VA and Taylor A Robertson of Palatka, great-grandchildren, Raylee and Skylar Robinson of Providence Forge, VA, seven step-children, James D. Hester, Myra Bell, Marsha K. Hester, Dale Hester, Dean Hester, Gerald Hester and Jimmy Hester. Gail is also survived by a beloved sister and brother-in-law, Bonnie and Bill Avery and a nephew Scott Avery. Gail had a strong Christian faith and was a member of Bostwick Baptist Church and enjoyed listening to country and gospel music. She also loved working in her yard. Gail lived her life caring for others. It’s the reason she got up every day. Many of her patients have said she has always gone above and beyond. That’s who she was. There will not be a local service at this time, but a memorial service will be at a later date in Virginia and will be announced. In lieu of flowers, please make any contributions to Haven Hospice Roberts Care Center, 6400 St. Johns Ave., Palatka, FL 32177. Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at Gail’s Book of Memories page at www.JohnsonOverturffunerals.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.