Obituaries – Their Stories Live On

Mrs. Vera Mae “Bootsie” Lester

9/17/1939 - 7/27/2025

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Obituary For Mrs. Vera Mae “Bootsie” Lester

Ms. Vera Mae “Bootsie” Lester, 85, of Lester, WV went to be the Lord July 27, 2025.

Vera was born September 17th, 1939, to the late Lonnie and Virgie Mae Lester II. She was the last of all her siblings.

Vera was employed by the Community Action School Board for 40 plus years as a teacher. She graduated from Concord University with a bachelor’s degree in education. Some of her favorite things to do were cooking, arts and crafts, watching cowboy movies, perfume, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Vera was a strong beautiful soul who would always lend what she had to give and would never let you leave her house empty-handed.

Vera, in addition to her parents, was preceded in death by her children, Richard Lester and Evada “Tiny” Lester; siblings, Loretta Green, Marie Logan, Lonnie Lester III, Thurman Lester, Rita Nalls, Jerry Lester, Bland Lester, Lillian Knight, Franklin Lester and Connie Lester.

Vera leaves to to mourn her son, Ronald (Nina) Lester of Lester, WV; daughter, April Gavin of Beckley, WV; grandchildren, Lashawnda, Ashawnta, Matthew, Aynicka, Jayla, Laiken, London, and Shayann; five great-children; sisters-in-law, Ewan Lester and Patricia Lester and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral service will be 12:00PM Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at Heart of God Ministries 1703 S. Kanawha St. Beckley with Bishop Fred T. Simms officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Prosperity.

Friends, while wearing masks and observing social distancing, may visit with the family one-hour prior.

To livestream visit heartofgodministrieswv.org

Email condolences to ritchiejohnsonfuneralparlor@gmail.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.

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Condolences

08/04/2025

Laura Alberta Robinson

Condolences and Prayers to the family of Vera Lester she will be missed .Sincerely Laura Alberta Robinson.
08/04/2025

Marvin D. Carter

Earl, April and the Lester family, please accept my heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy on your loss. I have wonderful memories of your mom while growing up in Lester and hope that all of your precious memories comfort you today and in the days to come. May God grant you peace during your time of bereavement. With thoughts and prayers. Marvin D Carter Gainesville, Fl.
08/04/2025

Reginald Green

Condolences and prayers too the family ❤️ Love Uncle Reggie and Cheryl Green
08/03/2025

Brady & Joann Turner

To the Lester family : Thoughts and prayers for God's mercy and comfort, to each of you during this difficult time!! Joann and I sends our deepest sympathy and may God bless you all, in the coming days ahead !! Brady & Joann Turner
08/03/2025

Rebecca

Praying for peace and comfort for the Lester family during this difficult time. Love and prayers Albert, Becky and Kevin Steele.
08/02/2025

Reggie and Freda Carter

Praying for STRENGTH for the Lester family! We are all FAMILY! Love you guys!
08/01/2025

Pam Saddler Daniel

Earl, April, and family, I just want to extend my deepest and sincere condolences to your family for the loss of your mom. She was always welcoming to me anytime I came over with Evada. I'll never forget how kind she was to me. Love and prayers, Pam Saddler Daniel
07/31/2025

Brenda Martin

Our prayers and condolences to the entire Lester family. Weeping may endure through the night but joy cometh in the morning.Psalms 30:5. God is close to the broken hearted 34:18. Brenda,Linda,Hortense,Jean & Families
07/28/2025

Jimmy Simms

To Earl, April, and the extended family. You have our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences. Miss Bootsie was a longtime friend of our family. She fought a good fight, she's finished her course, and she kept the faith! We're praying for an abundance of God's grace, comfort, and peace to be upon you!
07/28/2025

Eileen and Clifford

To the Lester family. You have our deepest condolences and prayers. Sincerely Clifford and Eileen Washington