5/12/1935 Raleigh Register FUNERAL FOR GORDON LESTER, CHRISTIANSBURG, VA., MAY 3, 1935. Funeral services were conducted at the residence of Mrs. Gordon Lester at Ellett, Virginia, for her husband, Mr. Gordon Lester, at two p.m., May 3, 1935. Interment followed at the Christiansburg Cemetery (now called Sunset Cemetery) in the family lot. Mr. Lester was born in Floyd County, Virginia November 1, 1850, the son of Champ and Rachel Lester who later moved to Raleigh County, West Virginia. Mr. Lester was married to Miss Charity Gray of Raleigh County, West Virginia, on November 5, 1871. (Raleigh Co. records have the year as 1874) He was engaged in the flour and milling business in the early eighties and had as his partner, Jackson Snuffer. Their business was located at Wickham, Raleigh County, West Virginia. He moved to Ellett, Virginia, about five miles from Christiansburg, in 1901 where he has been engaged in farming and grazing until the time of his death. He was recognized as one among the more successful farmers of Montgomery County. Virginia, where his farm was located. As a citizen he lived among his neighbors a quiet peaceful life and was at all times possessed with a kind and generous sympathy for all who needed help of any kind. During his lifetime he had made necessary provisions for a home for each of his children and he will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Besides his wife, Mrs. Charity Lester of Ellett, Virginia, he is survived by one sister, Mrs. P. C. Shumate from Springfield, Missouri; also three daughters, Mrs. R. G. Baldwin, Mrs. C. A. McAlexander of Ellett, Virginia, and Mrs. R. I. McAlexander of Mount Hope, West Virginia; also three sons, L. B. Lester, V. E. Lester and C. E. Lester of Ellett, Virginia. Mr. Lester leaves nine grandchildren. Among those who attended his funeral from out of town were Mrs. Rachel Jones, Mrs. Allie Shufflebarger, and Rev. and Mrs. Stuck from Princeton, West Virginia; Mrs. John Marshall and daughters, Frances and Ann, Mrs. Nettie Watts, Mrs. Mary Doss, and Mrs. Jenny Stone of Roanoke, Virginia; Mr. and Mrs. John Souder, Mr. John Gray of Salem, Virginia, Mr. and Mrs. P. L. Snuffer, Mr. and Mrs. S, S. Snuffer and family, Mrs. J. D. Crenshaw of Christiansburg, Virginia; Mrs. W. R. Bonham and Robert Bonham, Rich Creek, Virginia. Funeral services were in charge of Rev. Powers, pastor of the Cambria Baptist church, assisted by Rev. Shiftlett, Ellett, Virginia; Rev. McCormick, Cambria, Virginia; Rev. Stuck, Princeton, W. Va., Rev. Keadle, Christiansburg, Virginia. Mrs. C. H. Lucas was in charge of the music and was assisted by a mixed quartette, Mrs. P. L. Snuffer, Mr. N. C. Akers, Mr. Roy Kenzie, Mrs. W. F. Moore. Old familiar hymns were used and Mr. Kenzie sang a solo, "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere." Active pallbearers were L. B. Lester, V. E. Lester, C. E. Lester, R. G. Baldwin, C. A. McAlexander, and R. I. McAlexander. Honorary pallbearers were: C. R. Lucas, J. C. Snidow, G. C. Hedrick, Dr. F. P. Brammer, Dr. S. R. Nixon, Dr. A. R. Showalter, J. D. Wysor, V. E. Bane, S. Q. Reed, C. E. Blankenship, J. W. Henderson, R. L. Arrington, J. C. Sowdor, J. R. Sowder, J. W. Gray, A. S. Wilson, H. C. Reed, V. M. Sowder, J. D. Crenshaw, Moss French, S. B. West, J. W. Craig, Rev. C. E. Edwards, C. O. Chaffin, John Marshall, R. S. Williams, N. C. Rains, Joseph Smith, A. C. Sutphin, W. J. Hall, and I. C. Prince.