John M. Lester

John M. Lester died Jan. 17, 1919, at his home in Reedy, after a lingering illness of cancer of the stomach. Everything possible was done to prolong his life, but the fell destroyer had an unfailing grip on his system, and neither doctors, medicines or careful nursing could stay the unrelenting hand. Mr. Lester was born July 11, 1865 and at the time of his death was 53 years, six months and six days of age. April 2, 1885 he was married to Nannie L. Stalnaker and to this union four children were born all who survived Mrs. C. G. Cottle and Miss Elpha Lester of Reedy. Roy and Emmett both volunteers in the army and now in France.

Their mother Nannie L. Lester died Dec. 25, 1894 and on Nov. 23, 1895 Mr. Lester was married to Clara L. Tallman, daughter of S. H. and Rosa Tallman and one child was born to this union Aubrey Caldwell Lester who died Oct. 6, 1900. He was the son of James and Rebecca Lester. Four brothers and two sisters survive as follows: Wellington Lester of Pink Calhoun County, Wade Lester of Sherman Jackson County, Charley Lester of Akron, Ohio, and J. B. Lester of Reedy, Mrs. Mary Jane Knopp of Zanesville Ohio and Mrs. May Bryant of Parkersburg.

He was converted early in life under the ministry of Rev. Downtain and united with the M. E. Church South and remained a faithful member until death. For number of years, he was Superintendent of the M. E. South Sunday School at Reedy and was very efficient in the work . Mr. Lester practiced law for many years in which profession he was very successful. He was active in the political life of his community and held several offices the duties of which he discharged with marked ability being Justice of Peace and President of the Board of Education of Reedy District. He always took an active part in the school and literacy work and was at home as a presiding officer. Mr. Lester was also active in the business life of the community, having been for several years at the head of Cottle&Lester firm of furniture dealers and undertakers. He was also one of the chief organizers of The First National Bank of Reedy and was president of that institution since it's organization until the beginning of this year.

He was also engaged in farming pursuits and owned several farms, and had accumulated a comfortable competence. The funeral services which were very impressive were held at Reedy M. E. Church South Monday. Services being conducted by Rev. W. K. Doutt of Spencer a very close friend of the deceased. The burial was the McClung cemetery and the remains were in charge of Undertaker Cottle.

(Submitted by Charles E. Lester)
Published in The Reedy News, January 1919