of Hughes, AR

March 25, 1950 - June 30, 2024

Vester Louis Steele, 74, of Hughes passed away Sunday, June 30, 2024 at his home in Hughes, Arkansas. Vester was born on March 25, 1950 in Lee County, Arkansas to Ruth Doris Spears and Vester Steele. He was a retired used car salesman and a man of many talents and work ethics (honestly there was nothing that he could not do). In early years Vester loved to race cars which he did for several years at Riverside Speedway in West Memphis, Arkansas, where he was best known as ''Foots''. He later enjoyed watching and being the pit crew to his son, Cody Steele, during his race years, but his best years were when he was called Papaw.

Vester was an active member of his community of Hughes where he lived his entire life and advocated for his town. Over the years Vester was part owner and/or owner of several successful businesses within his community, from Jackson's Used Cars (with Mr. Wayne Beene), NAPA S&D Auto Parts Store (with the late Mr. Johnny Davidson), S&S Grocery (with his wife, Jackie Steele) and later he came out of retirement for a few years to work for Mr. Jimmy Thomas and Kevin Thomas, then owners of Jackson's Used Cars. Vester served on the Hughes Volunteer Fire Department for 20 years as well as he served as an Alderman on the City Council for four years. He later served as a Constable for approximately six years and even when he was not on the council board, he was always present at most town meetings to speak on what was in the best interest for his town. He loved the people of Hughes as much as he did his family members.

Vester was one who never met a stranger and he loved to talk to people everywhere he went, more especially to tell his jokes or make you laugh with his comical humor; one of the best parts of him that he shared with his son, John Steele. Vester loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and his family in general, and he was always ready when his wife, Jackie planned a spontaneous (but well planned out) trip. Vester owned MANY Corvettes during his lifetime and loved to participate in car shows near and far like annual trips to Bowling Green, Kentucky for the Corvette Homecoming, to Biloxi, Mississippi to Cruising the Coast and to the annual Sam's Town Car Show in Tunica, Mississippi. Vester shared this passion on a few memorable trips together with his sons, Joseph Steele and Cody Steele.

Vester is survived by his wife of 39 plus years, Jackie Steele; one daughter, Amy Dee Freeman (William); three sons, Joseph Steele, John Steele and Cody Steele (Felicia); nine grandchildren, Wesley Steele, Caliana Freeman, Tyler Smalling, Olivia Ellis, Logan Smalling (Savannah), Meredith Ellis, Landon Steele, Brody Steele and Emily Smalling; one great granddaughter, Freya Rae Smalling; one brother, Gary Steele; two sisters, Deborah Feltman (David) and Diana Allison (Bobby) and many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

Vester was preceded in death by his father, Vester Steele; his mother, Ruth Griggs Worthington; two stepfathers, Ed Griggs (who was much more than a stepfather) and Harold Worthington; three special stepbrothers, John Griggs, Sammy Griggs and Marvin Griggs and one special stepsister, Margaret Ann LaPradd.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests any contributions to be given to your local animal shelter in his honor. Vester's love for animals, especially his four-legged (favorite) children, Mickey and Sambo, was ineffable.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Citizens Funeral Home
201 North Pine Street
West Memphis, AR  72303
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com