Obituaries – Their Stories Live On

Mr. Bland Jackson Lester Sr., 69, of Myrtle Beach, SC, passed away Sunday, August 2, 2020 after a short illness. Born October 6, 1950 in Beckley, he was the son of the late Lonnie and Virgie Martin Lester. Bland lived in WV for many years until he married his high school sweetheart, Linda, on October 6, 2015 and relocated to Myrtle Beach, SC. Bland was the Honorary Mayor of his little village, Island Green, Myrtle Beach, SC. He was a retired coal miner and worked for Consol Buchannon for 32 years. He also enjoyed cooking, hunting, fishing and sitting on his porch listening to music. Bland, in addition to his parents, was preceded in death by three brothers, Lonnie III, Thurman, and Jerry and four sisters, Rita, Lillian, Marie and Loretta.

Left to cherish precious memories are his wife, Linda Lester of Myrtle Beach, SC; son, Bland Lester Jr. of Beckley; daughters, Jill Anderson, Veronica (Torrence) Casey, Tanesha (Marcus) Smith all of Charlotte, NC; stepsons, Roderick Shannon of Myrtle Beach, SC; Isaac (Angela) Gray II of OH; Angelo Gray of Beckley; stepdaughter, Anola Gray of Columbus, OH; one sister, Vera Lester of Lester, WV; his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, close family members and friends.

Funeral service will be 12:00Noon Monday, August 10, 2020 at the Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor Chapel 748 S Fayette St, Beckley with Bishop Fred T. Simms officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Prosperity.

Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, masks, gloves and social distancing will be required to attend the service.

Email condolences to ritchie-johnson@suddenlinkmail.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley