Hester Sue Hanley, age 75, passed into the loving arms of Jesus on Saturday, February 22, 2020 after a long and courageous battle with dementia.  She was born Hester Sue Payne on August 3, 1944 in Whitewood, VA to Thomas Milton Payne and Elsie Louise Payne; the only daughter of four siblings.  She was a coal miner's daughter who was proud of her mountain roots, and possessed a strong faith, a hard work ethic, a tenacious spirit, and a fierce love of family.

She was a retired FEP Claims Manager at Blue Cross Blue Shield in Washington, DC, where she worked for over 25 years.  She loved planting flowers, working in her garden, having family come to visit, and was an excellent chef who enjoyed baking and cooking.  She was preceded in death by her parents; Thomas Milton Payne and Elise Louise Payne, her brother Charles Avery Payne, and her husband, of 50 years, James David Hanley.

Left to cherish her memory are her son; Richard Dean Hanley and daughter-in-law, Amy Ashby Hanley of Stuarts Draft, VA, her grandchildren; Caleb Turner Hanley, Erin Nicole Hanley, and Stephen Spencer Hanley, her brothers; Jack L. Payne and wife Joan of Great Falls, VA and Billy E. Payne and wife Dianna Payne of Martinsville, VA, as well as numerous nephews and nieces.

A celebration of life service will be held on Thursday, February 27, 2020 at the Roselawn Chapel Funeral Home with viewing at 10:00 am and service at 11:00 am with Pastor Richard Dean Hanley officiating.