Roy Lee Lester Jr

Roy Lee Lester, Jr., 67, Kingsport, TN, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on May 8, 2018, at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center, after a lingering illness. He was born to Roy Lee Lester, Sr. and Venis Lucille Bledsoe Lester on April 23, 1951 in Pineville, WV.

He asked Jesus to be his Lord and Savior in 1969, the same year he graduated from Oceana High School, Oceana, WV. After high school, he attended West Virginia University. While there, he felt the call of the Lord on his life to be in the ministry. He transferred to Free Will Baptist Bible College in Nashville, TN. He got married before he completed his degree. But, he always had a thirst for knowledge! He continued his education through Bluefield College, Bluefield, WV, earning a degree of Bachelor of Science. Next, he earned both a Master of Religious Education and a Doctor of Religious Education from Bethany Theological Seminary, Dothan, Alabama. Then, he earned both a Master of Letter and a Doctor of Letters from Cambridge Institute of Theology, Bristol, VA.

Roy Lee has been in the ministry since 1970, pastoring full time in churches in Virginia, West Virginia, Michigan and Tennessee. In his journey, he volunteered his time in rescue squads, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, as well as serving as Chaplain in the TN National Guard. Besides pastoring, he taught in Christian schools and seminaries.

He was preceded in death by his parents and infant sister, Betty Ann Lester.

Roy Lee is survived by his wife of 43 years, Ernestine Kay Carter Lester, of the home; son, Joshua Andrew Lester and wife, Melanie Joy Dorton Lester; two wonderful grandchildren, Andrew Carter Lester and Mattie Alexa Lester of Duffield, VA; sister, Donna Sue Lester Dixon and her husband, Roy Lee Dixon of Jesse, WV; brother, Dennis Malcolm Lester and wife, Tracy Stowe Lester of Iron Station, NC; nephew, Robert Dale Lester of Wilmington, NC, and step-niece, Holly Yates of Iron Station, NC.

The family will receive friends from 5-7:00 pm on Friday, May 11, 2018 at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport. The funeral service will follow at 7:00 pm Brother David Reece officiating.

The graveside service will be held on Saturday at 11:00 am at East Lawn Memorial Park. Those planning to attend are asked to meet at Hamlett-Dobson by 10:15am to follow in procession.

Pallbearers will be Carter Lester, Keith Castle, Ron McAmis, David Watkins, Jim McGhee, Wayne Doran, Daniel Jones and Dewayne McGhee. Honorary pallbearers will be the Men of Doran Addition Free Will Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Gideons International, P.O. Box 3217, Kingsport, TN 37664.

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