Hadester Boyd Gregory
Hadester Boyd Gregory, 92, formerly of Brownsville, Tennessee, passed away on Friday, November 24, 2023, in Gentle Hands Hospice Home.
She was the youngest of 14 children. She graduated from Carver High School and then attended business college in Memphis, Tennessee. Hadester was employed by Golden Circle Life Company. She then realized her true calling as a seamstress and sewed for people all over West Tennessee. She was highly regarded by her customers. Hadester was quite active in the Civil Rights Movement during the 1950s and 1960s. She became the first treasurer of the newly-chartered Haywood County NAACP Branch. Hadester loved church and was a member of the First Baptist Church. She served as a Sunday School teacher, Adult Superintendent, and sang in the choir. Hadester was married to Riley Gregory for 69 years and they had one daughter, Gwenda. She was a loyal, loving wife and mother. After retirement, Hadester began taking piano lessons which she enjoyed greatly. But her greatest joy was sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Hadester was preceded in death by her parents, Edd, Sr. and Mary Boyd; 13 siblings, Mae Alice, John Kirk, Augustine, Edd, Jr., Houston, Martro, Kittie, Corine, Pauline, Catherine, Hazel, Annie, and one child who died at birth.
Survivors include husband of 69 years, Riley Gregory; daughter, Gwenda Gregory; sisters-in-law, Harriet, Ardella, Gwendolyn, and Martha Gregory; a host of loving nieces; nephews; cousins; other relatives and friends.
Hadester will lie in state on Thursday, Nov. 30, from 9-10 a.m. at Taylor Funeral Home. The family will receive from 11-12 p.m. at Second Missionary Baptist Church with the funeral to follow at noon with Dr. Ernest L. Reid, Jr. officiating and Pastor Louis Hudson as the eulogist.
Burial will be in Chattanooga National Cemetery.