Joan Graham Hester Byrd

Joan Maree Graham Hester Byrd, 93, (“The Songstress of Savannah”), made her transition to eternity while at home with her family on Wednesday, April 19th, 2023.

Joan was born to Anson and Gladys Graham on May 17, 1929, in Waynesboro, Georgia. Her family moved to Savannah when Joan was 3 years old. Her parents and sister, Bette, lived in various houses in the neighborhood of 38th and Bull Street near Epworth Methodist Church, where they were faithful members. One of the dwellings they lived in was at the current site of The Vault restaurant. Joan graduated in the January Class of Savannah High School in 1947, attended Armstrong Junior College, and worked at C&S Bank, Trust Department.

Music and singing were Joan’s lifeblood. When she was 16, Joan auditioned for Dwight Bruce’s radio show, By Request. She won the job and was the featured soloist for songs listeners wanted to hear sung on the radio. She was a soloist for church choirs, weddings, and many civic and social events, crooning out songs ranging from “Hard Hearted Hannah” to "How Great Thou Art.” She also led and directed music for worship services and children’s choirs with her good friend Mary Alice Garvin.

Joan could have had a professional singing career had she not had a more important goal: marrying her childhood sweetheart, the late Wendell Hester, owner of Hester’s Restaurant. After Wendell’s sudden death at age 35 in 1963,
Joan focused on raising her two young children. In 1972, she married the late Jack Byrd, who was a great blessing to Joan and her family.

Joan was a Steel Magnolia, with a great appreciation for her Southern heritage and beauty parlors. She loved British and American history; she was a descendant of the Mayflower’s John Alden and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Most important for her was her passion for God and her desire to love God and others. She especially had a heart for the oppressed and greatly supported social justice issues. In her later years, Joan became a member of Asbury Memorial Church where she was known for her spirited singing of hymns, her unique voice hovering over the entire congregation and blessing them. Joan cherished her family, her extended family, her church family, and her neighborhood friends. She would want to thank all of them for the blessings they were to her.

Joan is survived by her daughter, Wendy Ciccodicola (Pat) of Cranbury, New Jersey, and her son, Billy Hester (Cheri) of Savannah; her sister, Bette Graham Hunter of Savannah; her grandchildren, Eva Ciccodicola, Christopher Ciccodicola, Chelsea Hester Bradt (Chris), Christi Hester, Wendell Hester, Wesley Hester; her great-grandson, Anson Bradt, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews—all of whom Joan loved and cherished.

A Service of Resurrection celebrating Joan’s life will be held at Asbury Memorial Church on Saturday, May 13, at 2:00 pm. Visitation will be held at 1:00 pm, one hour prior to the service. A reception in the church social hall will follow. The internment will be held by the family at a later date.

Remembrances may be made to Asbury Memorial Church, 1008 East Henry St, Savannah, Ga. 31401.