Ray G. Lester

Ray G. Lester, 94 of Beckley and Hanover, WV, departed his earthly home on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, to be with Jesus and reunited with his beloved wife, Dorothy and precious son, Danny Ray.

Born November 4, 1929, in Hanover, WV, he was the son of the late Forest and Artie (Cline) Lester.

Ray was a graduate of Baileysville High school and Bluefield State College. He was Director of Purchasing for several major coal companies in West Virginia and Virginia, retiring from Island Creek Coal company. He and his son were co-owners of Laser Distributing.

Ray was very active in civic and community organizations and was always seeking ways to make life easier for everyone else. He loved his church and church family, Hanover Missionary Baptist Church and was a very active member as long as his health permitted. He enjoyed attending Nascar races with his wife Dorothy. Ray loved spending winters in Florida and made lifelong friends there. He loved traveling. One of his most favorite things was to go for daily evening rides, the longer the ride the better.

In addition to his parents, Ray is also preceded in death by his loving wife Dorothy Lester; his beloved son: Dr. Danny Ray Lester, Attorney at Law; stepson: Phillip Ray Lewis; brother: Billy Lester.  Ray was the last surviving member of the immediate family.

He is survived by Alice Lewis of the home a nephew David Lester, of Bristol Viginia and a niece, Kathy Kump, of Albuquerque New Mexico. Very dear friends surviving him are Avery and Mary Bailey, Ray and Rita Lester, Dr. Robert Rufus, Vickie Rizzi, and Mike Tyree.

Services will be conducted at Hanover Missionary Baptist Church, Hanover, WV, on Friday, September 6, 2024.   Visitation will be from 12:00 until 2:00, funeral services will commence there at the church at 2:00 pm with Pastor Jackie Lester officiating.  Burial will follow in the Joe Point Cemetery in Hanover, WV.

Pallbearers will be Tracey Cline, David Godfrey II, Eric Lester, Kevin Lester, Todd Lester, Sammy Walker.

He may be gone from our sight, but never from our hearts.

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