Obituary for James Ivan Lester Sr.
Mr. James Ivan Lester, age 67, of the River Mountain section of Lebanon, Virginia, passed away Monday (May 17, 2021) in a Bristol, Tennessee hospital. Born May 27, 1953 in Honaker, Virginia, he was a son of the late Tivis and Frances “Tootsie” Sykes Lester. A lifelong resident of the area, he attended Outreach Temple. He was was known for his generosity, always willing to lend a helping hand with a smile and a caring heart. Always keeping himself busy, he had formerly been employed as a coal miner, a mechanic, and a carpenter. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, and cooking, especially his gravy, which everyone enjoyed. Above all, he was a family man and enjoyed spending time together. Coming from a large, loving family, he remained close with his Lester siblings and instilled in his children to do the same. He was a beloved husband for forty-nine years, a loving father, a devoted brother, and wonderful popaw.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Hess Lester, and four brothers, Kirby Lester, Guy Lester, Raymond, Lester, and William Audrey Lester.
Survivors include three children, Melissa Carolyn Kiser and husband, Greg of Rosedale, Regina Lynn Belcher and husband, David of Rosedale, and J.L. Lester and wife, Megan of Lebanon; four grandsons, Austin Kiser, Michael Belcher, Nicholas Belcher, and Brogan Lester; six brothers, Douglas M. Lester and wife, Eura, Steven B. Lester and wife, Jackie, Kermit Lester and wife, Jessie, Doyle G. Lester and wife, Betty, Ray Lester and wife, Christine, and Andy Lowe and wife, Fern; three sisters, Darlene Howard, Charlene Meadows, and Diane Linowski and husband, Jim; several nieces and nephews also survive.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM Friday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, Virginia with Rev. Jeff Kinder and honorary minister, Rev. Arvil Arwood officiating. Interment will follow in Ketron Memorial Gardens at Lebanon, Virginia.
Pallbearers will be Jay Howard, Josh Horton, Jonathan Short, William Lester, Mike Hess, Mike Lester, Dewayne Meade, John Hale, Hiram Howard, and Randy Howard.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Taylor, Anthony Wade, John Wolford, Oscar Stiltner, Jim Kennedy, and Gary “Mitt” Kiser.
The family will receive friends at the Honaker Funeral Home on Friday from 10 AM- 11 AM.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Hess Lester, and four brothers, Kirby Lester, Guy Lester, Raymond, Lester, and William Audrey Lester.
Survivors include three children, Melissa Carolyn Kiser and husband, Greg of Rosedale, Regina Lynn Belcher and husband, David of Rosedale, and J.L. Lester and wife, Megan of Lebanon; four grandsons, Austin Kiser, Michael Belcher, Nicholas Belcher, and Brogan Lester; six brothers, Douglas M. Lester and wife, Eura, Steven B. Lester and wife, Jackie, Kermit Lester and wife, Jessie, Doyle G. Lester and wife, Betty, Ray Lester and wife, Christine, and Andy Lowe and wife, Fern; three sisters, Darlene Howard, Charlene Meadows, and Diane Linowski and husband, Jim; several nieces and nephews also survive.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM Friday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, Virginia with Rev. Jeff Kinder and honorary minister, Rev. Arvil Arwood officiating. Interment will follow in Ketron Memorial Gardens at Lebanon, Virginia.
Pallbearers will be Jay Howard, Josh Horton, Jonathan Short, William Lester, Mike Hess, Mike Lester, Dewayne Meade, John Hale, Hiram Howard, and Randy Howard.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Taylor, Anthony Wade, John Wolford, Oscar Stiltner, Jim Kennedy, and Gary “Mitt” Kiser.
The family will receive friends at the Honaker Funeral Home on Friday from 10 AM- 11 AM.