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Rev Harold H. Bester was born January 5th,1946 to MrsCorene Fair Tennyson and Rev Stephen W Bester in Little Rock, Arkansas. He came to Cincinnati, Ohio at the age of 5.
He gave his life to Christ and was baptized by Rev Sangster at Revelation Baptist Church. He attended Columbian Elementary and Samuel Ach Junior High School. Harold graduated from Hughes High in 1964 where he played football and participated on the Avondale community football team as well!
In June of 1961 met his soul mate, Ruby Fredricka Shuttlesworth when her father became the Pastor of Revelation Baptist Church.
In October 1961 the Cincinnati District youth choir traveled to Erie, Pennsylvania and he started a 60 year love story, solidified each year with an Almond Joy!
He was employed by Kroger for 38 years.
He married Ruby Shuttlwesworth on June 12th, 1965! Their union was blessed with a daughter Audra Ricquel in March of 1967 and a son Harold Steven in November of 1968!
Rev Bester was a prolific singer and loved Gospel Music! He sang with Revelation Baptist, The Cincinnati District Youth Choir and later in life formed Bester Singers and also sang with Bobby Gazaway and The Gospel Larks!
He was a charter and founding member of the Greater New Light Baptist Church where he served as Assistant Pastor, Sunday School Superintendent, Deacon, Choir Director and President of the Gospel Chorus and Male Chorus!
In 2006, he was recommended by retiring Pastor Rev Fred Shuttlesworth to become the 2nd Pastor of Greater New Light!
He studied at Temple Baptist College and received a Bachelors Degree of Theology!
Pastor Bester was known for his kindness and willingness to help others! He had a vibrant personality that impacted many lives! He was filled with wisdom, known for his singing and love of God and family! He was a true servant of God!
From 2016-2018 he had six different surgeries while continuing to serve as Pastor with the help of Rev Chaplain Raymond W Cook and the entire Greater New Light family!
Pastor Harold Bester transitioned from labor to his heavenly resting place on Sunday, July 25th, 2021!
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Alfred Tennyson and Moses Bester.
He leaves to cherish his memories, his loving and devoted wife of 56 years, Ruby Bester, adoring children Elder Audra Bester and his Pastor Elder Harold Steven Bester (Cassandra)! 6 wonderful grandchildren, Alicia Bester Glass (Quinten) , Elder Jordan Bester (Ambyr), Demetrius Harper, Jarred Bester, Zhayna Steele and Micah Harper. 11 Great Grandchildren Jyren, Giani, Mariah, Traevon, Amon, Aviana, Cattelaya, Anari, Raena, Quinn and Catalina Ruby.
Four sisters, Juanita Peoples (Ernest), Lois McElroy, Alice Gully (Leroy), Doris Gardner (Mike) of Little Rock, Arkansas and Ernestine Davis of Michigan. One brother, Stephen Bester of St Louis, Missouri.
Pastor Bester was considered by his wife’s parents as a “5thchild”. Special love and thanks to Patricia Massengill, Fred Shuttlesworth, Jr, and Caroline Shuttlesworth Davidson and a host of nieces, nephews and family members!
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Pastor Emeritus Rev. Harold H. Bester, please visit our floral store.