Rev. Hoyt Ivester

JEFFERSON – Rev. Hoyt Clifford Ivester, 89, formerly of the New Holland Community in Gainesville, died Monday, July 27, 2009, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville following a brief illness.

Born in Toccoa on December 26, 1919, he was the son of the late Frank and Mary Bell Massey Ivester. He made the mill village of New Holland his home most of his life. As father, grandfather, pastor and friend, he touched the lives of everyone he came in contact with. Rev. Ivester was preceded in death by his lovely wife of over 60 years, Ruby Wilson Ivester; brothers, Cortez, Pete, Paul and Buck Ivester; and a sister, Illone Ramey.

In April, 1943, he and four of his brothers went into the military and fought in World War II. Following basic training in Macon, at Camp Wheeler, he was sent overseas to Rome, Sicily and Casablanca, Italy. He served and fought honorably in Company E, 135th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, being awarded the Purple Heart among other awards. He returned to New Holland following World War II and worked at New Holland Mill for over 40 years, retiring in 1985. Aside from working full-time in the mill, he was also a Southern Baptist Minister. He was the pastor of numerous churches in the North Georgia area to include Chattahoochee Baptist in Flowery Branch, Fairview Missionary Baptist Church in Gainesville, Grove Level in Maysville, and Pendergrass Baptist Church, in Pendergrass. He was ordained as a minister September, 1954, at Pleasant Union Baptist Church, New Holland, Gainesville.

Survivors include a daughter, Jeanne Riley, Jefferson; grandchildren, David Bruce, Todd Riley, Leah Smith, Hannah Brookshire and Timothy Riley; 11 great-grandchildren; brother, Will Ivester; and sister, Jewel Martin.

Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday, July 30, at 11 a.m., in the chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home with the Rev. Bill Carpenter officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday, July 29, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial Park Funeral Home, Gainesville, is in charge of arrangements.