Thurman Claude Lester

Thurman Claude Lester, age 91, of Meherrin, Virginia, passed away on Monday, February 27, 2012.
After a lengthy illness. He had been under the care of the Chase City, VA Health and Rehab Center and Hospice. Mr. Lester was born on November 19, 1920, and was the son of Johnnie and Margie Lester of Hurley, VA. Mr. Lester was predeceased by his wife, Madeline Cooper, his daughter, Brenda Wilgosz, and his son, Roger Lester. He is survived by four daughters, Peggy Lester of Tucson, AZ, Patricia Yonkoski of Rochester, NY, Linda Tomkiel of West Pittston, PA, and Deborah Dozier of Meherrin, VA. He is also survived by four sons, Thurman M. Lester of Niagara Falls, NY, Kenneth Lester and Dennis Lester of Youngstown, NY, and Raymond Lester of Travelers Rest, SC. In addition to his children, Mr. Lester was predeceased by his sisters, Mary Randock, Bonnie Cutler, and Jean Hillman; his brothers, Edward Lester, John Lester, and James Lester. He is survived by his sisters, Kathleen Fitzgerald of Niagara Falls, NY and Lorraine Near of Lewiston, NY; and his brother, Billy Lester of Largo, FL. In addition to his immediate family, Mr. Lester, is survived by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Mr. Lester was a Veteran of WWII, serving in the U. S. Army in Italy and Africa. Mr. Lester resided in Niagara Falls, NY, for over twenty years following his military service, working for the Hooker Chemical Company. He relocated to Virginia in 1969, working his family farm as well as several other jobs.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, March 2, 2012, at the Browning-Duffer Funeral Home in Keysville, VA, with interment to follow in the Meherrin Baptist Church Cemetery, Meherrin, VA. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, March 1, 2012, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The Browning-Duffer Funeral Home in Keysville, VA, is in charge of arrangements.