Phyllis Kester

Phyllis Smith from Wichita, Kansas, and Monty Kester of Odell, Texas, met when working as graduate assistants in the math department at Oklahoma State University.  They married in 1964 and one year later Phyllis completed the requirements for a master’s degree, as well as a teaching certificate in math.  Monty had received a bachelor’s of science degree in 1962 with a double major—math and physics—from McMurry University and was enrolled in a doctoral program at Oklahoma State University in math, which he completed in 1972.  Two sons joined the family.  David and wife Janet live in Tyler, Texas.  Cheryl Kester, widow of Charles (deceased 2014), resides in Arkansas. The Kesters have three grandchildren.

Upon completing their studies, Phyllis and Monty pursued teaching careers.  Monty held the position of professor of mathematics in colleges and universities in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas, before joining the faculty at Liberty University in Lynchburg in 1988.  After 51 years of teaching, he retired in 2014.  His current interests include theology, computers, and reading.

Phyllis also taught math, initially at the junior high school level, but primarily at colleges and universities in the various states where they lived.  She retired in 2000.  In addition to her teaching Phyllis has written and published two books, various articles, and papers on multiple topics—education, religion, and health.   Over the years, she conducted and spoke at workshops, retreats, and in-service programs for teachers, as well as owned a health care business.  

For some time Phyllis has wanted to complete a photo-writing project of bringing together in book format a large collection of family photos with accompanying narrative. Once settled in her apartment at Westminster Canterbury, she expects to have the time needed for such an endeavor.   Monty died on April 25, 2021.