Willie H. Lester Obituary

Fought A

I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: HENCEFORTH THERE IS LAID UP FOR ME A

fight crown of

good righteousness

WHICH THE LORD, THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGE, SHALL GIVE ME AT THAT DAY: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

I have

Words by Jennie Wilson Music by F. L. Eiland

Hold To God’s Unchanging Hand

Service of Order

Celebrating the Life of Pastor William H. Lester

Saturday, the Third day of December, Two-thousand Twenty-two at Two O’clock in the Afternoon

BROWN MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 7200 Swinnea Road, Southaven, Mississippi 38671

1Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

JOHN 14:1-3, KJV

Procession. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

.The

Scripture Reading: Old Testament . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

New Testament

Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

.Pastor

Congregational Hymn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ”

Celebration in Song . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The

Musical Tribute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carleen

Pastor Bartholomew Orr, Host Pastor & Eulogist Pastor Edrin L. Alexander, Officiant

Family of Pastor William H. Lester

DeAndre Brown Senior Pastor, Lifeline to a Dying World Ministries

Minister Michael Taylor Greater Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church

. Pastor Gregory Stokes Greater Paradise Baptist Church

Hold To God’s Unchanging Hand”

Pastor W. H. Lester Celebration Choir

REMEMBERING PASTOR LESTER AS A COMMUNITY LEADER Judge Carol Chumney, Circuit Court Judge, Division II Dorcas Young-Griffin, Director of Community Services, Shelby County Government Staff of First S. T. A. R. Learning Academy

Strong-Tate

REMEMBERING PASTOR LESTER AS A TEACHER & MENTOR

Celebration in Song . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

REFLECTIONS FROM FELLOW CLERGY

Pastor Ollie J. Allen, Springhill Baptist Church (Ripley, TN)

Pastor Keith Norman, First Baptist Church – Broad Avenue Silent Reading of the Obituary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Words of Comfort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Acknowledgments & Resolutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Celebration in Song . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The

The Eulogy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Recessional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The

24The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: 25The LORD make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: 26The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

NUMBERS 6:24-26, KJV

Mr. Malcolm Hunt, Whitestone Baptist Church Mr. Thaddeus Hobson, Greater Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church Mr. Charlie Crenshaw, GPHMBC Pastor’s POSSE

The Pastor W. H. Lester Celebration Choir

.”It is Well”

Pastor Walker D. Wright Senior Pastor, Whitestone Baptist Church

. . .Mrs. Juanita Brown

Pastor W. H. Lester Celebration Choir

. . Pastor Bartholomew Orr Senior Pastor, Brown Missionary Baptist Church

Family of Pastor William H. Lester

OF A Portrait

ServantHumble

William Henry Lester, a humble servant of God, was born to Will Lester and Flora Burton on March 7, 1930, in Memphis, Tennessee. From the very beginning, he was chosen by God to serve humanity as an ambassador of love and faith, an innovative builder, and a strong leader. To his family and friends, he was affectionately known by the nickname, “Li’l Brother” and he was widely respected for his unique gift of helping others.

He attended Florida Street Elementary School and later graduated from Booker T. Washington High School. He cherished the time that he spent being raised by his great-grandmother, Sarah McKay, and he developed a devout love for playing baseball and fishing. Little did he know that God would one day make him a fisher of men!

He confessed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior at an early age at the Whitestone Missionary Baptist Church, and served as Senior Choir Director, Sunday School Teacher, Deacon, Bible Study Instructor, Church Treasurer and Trustee. Expressing his deep love for music, he sang “I’m Glad God Made Me” with fire and fervor! With great humility, he served the congregation of Whitestone faithfully, honestly, and earnestly.

He married the love of his life, Louise Stokes, on October 21, 1950. After serving his country in the United States Army and fighting in the Korean War, he returned home safely and was blessed to raise six children who were the apples of his eye. He worked for the W. M. Barr Company for ten years and spent another thirty years as a Letter Carrier for the United States Postal Service. There, he received numerous awards for outstanding performance, safety, and dedication, and he was known to minister to various people along his daily route.

With a strong desire to fully understand the Word of God, he enrolled in Crichton College where he followed God’s directive to “study to show thyself approved” and graduated on May 3, 1983. God called him to preach and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ

and planted a message of love in his heart. He obeyed God’s instruction to love the people and teach them to love one another. The hallmark of his teaching was JESUS CHRIST AND NOTHING MORE...JESUS CHRIST AND NOTHING LESS... JESUS CHRIST AND NOTHING ELSE ! In every situation, his prayer was, “Lord…let LOVE win!”

In 1985, he was called to serve as Pastor of Greater Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church where he led the congregation fervently for twenty-nine years. Under his leadership, many souls were led to Christ and those who were facing various struggles learned that “there is a better way.” He mentored a group of young men who became known as the Pastor’s POSSE. He shared his visions for a better way with the flock and members of the community. As a result, God impressed upon the heart of realtor Dave Dermon to sell the land on which Greater Pleasant Hill now sits at an affordable price. This allowed for the building of a new worship center at 3077 Johnson Avenue, the Binghampton Community Life Center (BCLC) at 3079 Crystal Avenue, and affordable homes for those wanting to pursue home ownership.

Under Pastor Lester’s leadership as President of BCLC, innovative programs were instituted with the goal of enhancing and enlightening the Binghampton Community. Among them were the First STAR Learning Academy, the Legacy of STARS Mature Adults Ministry, the Homework Center, and a recreational program for young athletes which earned top placement in two national championships. Pastor Lester was an innovator who embodied the true definition of servant leadership, and he was always careful to give the glory to God!

He received a special commendation from the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee House of Representatives on June 12, 1996, for outstanding service. On August 19, 1998, he was commissioned as a Tennessee Ambassador of Goodwill by Governor Don Sundquist and the State of Tennessee. On January 17, 2006, he was named Chaplain of the Day by the Memphis City Council. With these and many other significant accomplishments, he never hesitated to give all of the glory to God!

Having completed his assignment from the Lord, he retired as Pastor of Greater Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church in 2014. He had carried God’s message of love by precept and example! He had taught JESUS CHRIST AND NOTHING MORE...JESUS CHRIST AND NOTHING

LESS...JESUS CHRIST AND NOTHING ELSE. He continued to visit the church for as long he was physically able and prayed for the church continuously after his retirement. Throughout his ministry and lifetime, a number of Pastors and ministry leaders looked to him as a role model,

father figure, and example of how to operate in ministry. As he would reflect on the many things that God had used him to do, he would immediately say, “To God Be the Glory!”

On Saturday, November 12, 2022, Pastor Lester spoke the words, “I love the Lord. I’m going up yonder.” Eight days later, on Sunday, November 20, 2022, while resting comfortably surrounded by his family, God lovingly welcomed him in Heaven: the prepared place for prepared people! He was preceded in death by his parents, Will Lester and Flora Burton; three grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Pastor Lester’s amazing personality, Godly wisdom and warm fatherly touch shall never fade into oblivion, but will forever be cherished by his wife of 72 years, Louise Stokes Lester; six children: Cheryl Lester Perry, Anita Lester Hunt (John), Carmen Patricia Warmsley, Anthony Wayne Lester, Lillian Kaye Busby (Wilfred), and Darryl Burton Lester (Anita); eleven grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren; a stepmother, Johnnie Lester, of Decatur, Alabama; two sisters: Lynette Lester-Sharpe (Anthony) of Detroit, Michigan and Myra Lester-Thomas (Robert) of Virginia Beach, Virginia; two nieces, two nephews, eight great nieces, six great-great nieces; a special cousin, Louis Johnson of Chicago, Illinois, a devoted family friend, Mrs. Juanita Brown, and a host of other relatives, church members, fellow clergy and friends.

Reflections of His Impact

“Pastor Lester was an amazing example of God’s love in the earth. No matter how old you were, he made sure you felt special in his presence. Each person was seen by him, heard by him, and was supported by him. He held confidences and spoke the truth at all times from God’s Word. My heart is saddened at his passing, but I am rejoicing because I know he has received his crown of righteousness for his many years of devoted service as Pastor and Shepherd. He served with honor, dignity and always served as unto the Lord. He will truly be missed.”

PRISCILLA WILLIAMS

“What a great man of God who touched so many lives in such a positive manner!”

ALICIA JOHNSON MCGLOWN

“My heart took a pause upon hearing of Pastor Lester’s transition. I’ll always remember the wisdom he poured into me as we sat and talked.”

MICHELLE BELL

“You are truly one of a kind. You taught us so much by modeling the man you encouraged us to be. I will always remember and cherish the wisdom you shared with my fellow P.O.S.S.E. members and myself, ranging from manhood to marriage to our forever walk with GOD. However, most importantly I will remember how you taught us to pray and to have clear and specific conversations with GOD. You will be truly missed; however, your legacy will live on in each of us. I love you and I thank you!”

DR. BRIAN J. MELLS

“Pastor Lester, I will always love you like you were my own grandfather & I will always remember the encouraging words that you spoke!”

KRISTA WALTON

“I love this man so much! I consider him as another father to me. He was such an inspiration! I cherish the conversations we had, especially the personal ones. I’m honored that I had him as my Pastor from 1993 until his retirement. I think of him often and miss him dearly!”

PATRICE CRENSHAW

“He was a man of his word with a big heart...full of kindness…who loved everybody! He is truly missed!”

CASSIE MCATEE

“My dad and Pastor Lester were really close. As a child, our families visited the Memphis Zoo together and it was one of the most memorable times of my life. He was a great man and will be sorely missed.”

ROBERT MILLER, JR. Former Neighbor and Carver High School Alumni

Acknowledgment

God gave him a heart that was protective, to guard us from Satan’s snares; God gave him a heart that was attentive, to His people and all of their cares.

God gave him a heart that was obedient, and adhered to the Spirit’s call; And with that heart, God used Pastor Lester to touch and inspire us all.

Please accept our sincere gratitude for your prayers, support, and expressions of sympathy. Special thanks to the caregivers who assisted us in serving him with the utmost care and compassion. We pray God’s blessings upon each of you, and request your continued prayers for the days ahead.

~ The Family of Pastor William H. Lester ~

ACTIVE PALLBEARERS

Mr. Charlie Crenshaw

Mr. LaFaria Ellis

Mr. Marcus Lane

Mr. Tracy Horton

Mr. Brian McNary

Mr. Tevin Smith

HONORARY PALLBEARERS

Fellow Clergy Members of Greater Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church Members of Whitestone Missionary Baptist Church Members of the Westwood Community