If Hester Davis has it her way, she’ll still be working for the New Jersey Department of Labor when she celebrates her centennial birthday.
The 88 year-old West Orange native currently works as a case worker at the Youth One Stop Career Shop in Newark, helping young people, ages 16 to 24, find employment opportunities. She’s the oldest employee in the entire agency, the NJDOL said.
“It just makes me feel good on the inside, because here’s my heart,” Davis told NJ Advance Media. " If I could help you, I would...so that’s what I do.”
Davis, who turns 89 in June, is celebrating her 50th anniversary with NJDOL. Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo called it a “milestone equal to two careers for most workers.”
“Throughout her honorable and commendable career assisting jobseekers with education and skills training, she has helped sustain generations of New Jersey workers and their families,” Asaro-Angelo said.
Like many, Davis has spent the last year working from home. The coronavirus pandemic has forced her to be away from the camaraderie of office life, where she is known as the unofficial “party planner,” she said. But she is still finding a way to keep the office connected via Zoom.
“They love it because I’m very creative...” Davis said. “I still decorate....I’m getting ready to do something for the May and June birthdays.”
Davis has been active in her church community for far longer than her career at NJDOL. She credits her faith for her longevity and eagerness to serve the community.
“Deacon Hester is still working like she is working because she is committed and faithful. And I know God rewards faithfulness,” said Harriet Wallace, Pastor of Park Avenue Christian Church Disciples of Christ. “She is a pillar of the church.”
While she works her nine-to-five, Davis also serves as a caregiver for her 90-year-old husband, who was in hospice care during the pandemic. His health took a turn for the better, her family said. The Davises have been married for 65 years.
“My grandmother is the bedrock of our family. Even when I was younger, she was supportive of everything that we did and that’s where that translates into her job,” said Davis’ grandson Earl Brown. “If she ever sees someone that needs help, or needs assistance or needs anything she’s the first one, without question, to help them out.”
Davis said she doesn’t plan on retiring anytime soon. She’s enjoying her job too much.
“God helps those who help themselves. But if you could help somebody else, one way or another it comes back to you,” Davis said.
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Tennyson Donyèa may be reached at tcoleman@njadvancemedia.com.