Earl Ellis Lester, age 82, of Smithville and formerly of Hanover, WV, passed away Wednesday October 30, 2019 at St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital in Murfreesboro. 

 He was born March 11, 1937 to his parents, the late General and Minerva Mullins Lester.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Susan Lester; daughter, Frieda Lester; siblings, Dorothy Copley, Ed Lester, Harold Lester, Shirley Davis and Mack Lester. 

 Mr. Lester was a member of the Sprattsville Freewill Baptist Church in Sprattsville, WV, a U.S. Army Veteran and a retired coal miner. 

 He leaves to cherish his memory, three children, Karen Christian of Rock Island, John Lester and fiancé, Kelee Kennedy of Rock Island and Aaron and wife, Karen Lester of Smithville; five grandchildren, Susan (David) Taylor, Nick (Jodi) Lester, Cassi (Chad) Curtis, Jayde Lester and Jacob Lester; five great-grandchildren, Preston, Paizlee and Parker Sue Taylor, Jonah and Karsyn Lester. 

 Funeral service was held Friday, November 1, 2019 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Nathan Thomason officiating.  Interment service and burial was at Palm Memorial Gardens in Matheny, WV with Rev. Clifford Rawls officiating. 

 Serving as pallbearers were Aaron Lester, David Taylor, Preston Taylor, Chad Curtis, Nick Lester, Charles Lester and Jacob Lester.

 DeKalb Funeral Chapel, Smithville, was in charge of the arrangements.

 Smithville Review

(Smithville, Tenn.)