Hester A. Davis

Arkansas's first state archeologist, Hester A. Davis, died Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014, at the age of 84 in Fayetteville, Ark. Entering into the study of archeology at a time when women working in the field were a rarity, Hester left a legacy for archeologists, both professional and amateur, throughout the state during her long career. Hester was born in Ayer, Mass., on June 4, 1930, to Edward and Dorothy Davis, and was the youngest of five children. She attended Mossville School for Girls and obtained her bachelor's degree in history from Rollins College in 1952. She then went on to receive a master's degree in social and technical assistance from Haverford College, as well as a master's in anthropology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Additionally, she has two honorary doctorates from Lyon College and Rollins College. After a couple of years gaining practical experience in Iowa, Hester took a job in 1959 with the University of Arkansas Museum where she worked as preparator and then as assistant director. In 1967, after the creation of the Arkansas Archeological Survey, Hester was appointed state archeologist and continued to hold that position for the next 32 years. She also taught in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Arkansas for 10 years, and was a board member or officer of a half dozen professional societies, including the Society for American Archaeology and the Archaeological Institute of America. After retirement, Hester wrote Remembering Awatovi: The Story of an Archaeological Expedition in Northern Arizona, 1935-1939. She is survived by her brother, Hugh Davis and his wife, Hope, of Leverett, Mass.; and five nephews, Paul Worman of New York, N.Y., Ned Worman and his wife, Ruth, of Chesapeake, Va., Hugh Davis and his wife, Nancy, of Northwood, N.H., Anthony Davis of Chatham, Mass., and Nathaniel Davis of East Hampton, Mass. Hester was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, William Davis and Mott Davis; and by a sister, Penrose Worman. The Arkansas Archeological Survey of Fayetteville, Ark., will host a memorial gathering at a date to be determined. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Washington Regional Hospice, Fayetteville, Ark. Cremation arrangements are by Moore's Chapel.