Obituary of Martha W. Lester

Martha W. Lester, 75, of Salem, Virginia died on April 6, 2012 in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina after a lengthy illness. Martha “Marty” Lester was born on August 22, 1936 in Roanoke, VA to the late Vernon and Marie (Adams) Wilborne. She was proud graduate of Andrew Lewis High School and the Roanoke Memorial School of Nursing. In 1957, she married the love of her life Mr. William “Bill” Lester. He preceded her in death in 2005. Martha grew up attending Tabernacle Baptist Church; and was an active member of West Salem Baptist Church and most recently The CommUNITY Church. Marty’s loves included playing Bridge with the Salem Senior Citizens Monday Morning Group, the 4 OBS and several other bridge groups. She also had a love for traveling and seeing new places. There was never a bus trip that she would turn down! She was also a long time member of the Beta Sigma Phi service organization. But Martha’s first love was always for her children, grandchildren, and other family members and really enjoyed spending time with all of them. She is survived by her daughter, Jane Lester, and her daughter in law, Linda Lester, both of Mt. Pleasant, SC; three grandchildren: Quinn Lester, attending Pomona College, CA, SPC .Matthew Anderson with the US Army at Ft. Hood TX and Brandy Anderson, a teacher in South Korea. Three brothers, Vernon and Raymond Wilbourne of Salem, VA, and Tom Wilbourne of Greenville, NC as well as many lifelong friends including, Betty Alley and Gaynelle Long. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Robert Lester in 2001, and her brother, James Wilbourne. A memorial services celebrating Mrs. Lester’s life will take place at 11:00AM, Saturday April 14 at CommUNITY Church (901 Russell Drive, Salem, VA) with Pastor Tom McCracken officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Roanoke Area Ministries (Ram House), Roanoke Valley Food Bank, or Juvenile Diabetes Association. Arrangements are by Simplicity Lowcountry Cremation & Burial Services