Sister Lottie Mae Paschall-Lester was born in Waycross, Georgia on July 21, 1932, to the late Thomas and Mary Paschall. She was the second of three children. She received her Angel Wings on Monday, April 26, 2021 at 3:15 am in Jacksonville, FL. Sister Lester was educated in Waycross, GA and graduated from Center High School in 1948. Sister Lester married Herbert Lester on May 1, 1951 and remained married to him for 53 years traveling the world with him as a military wife throughout his military service for over 21 years. To this union six (6) children were born. She loved her family and she loved playing the piano.

Sister Lester was a homemaker and a dedicated musician in churches and Christian services throughout Valdosta and surrounding towns for nearly 50 years. She was a “gifted” musician who played “by ear” and was willing and able to back any choir, soloist, preacher and/or psalmist. She was the musician over the years with tenure at St. Timothy AME, Mt. Ararat MBC, Union Baptist Church, Evergreen MBC, St. Paul AME, and Greater St James MBC, where her church membership remains for over 47 years. While NOT a member of Evergreen MBC, she served as the musician there for over 45 years. She was a dedicated and committed musician who always answered the call. Her expertise and natural ability to play the piano gained recognition throughout the area as the “sweet lady with the beauty mark (mole) on the left side of her upper lip and ALWAYS a kind smile” and a sweet disposition. Sister Lester was an encourager and seeded into the lives of many. Her abilities to play on the keyboards crossed the lines of angel choirs, youth choirs, gospel choirs, senior choirs, praise teams, in addition to weddings, funerals, and various programs. Her ability to play – by ear – the varieties of musical venues was phenomenal. Not only was she committed to her assignment as a musician sent from God…she was a faithful tither and giver.

Sister Lester is predeceased by her parents; her spouse of 53 years, Herbert Lester; her son & daughter-in-law Deacon Kenneth & Ella Mae Lester; grandson Kelvin Lester; granddaughter Lottie Renee Lester-Copeland (Jacksonville); sister & brother-in-law Ora Lee Paschall & “Curley” Burke (Miami); in-laws James “Buddy” & Viola “Sessie” Lester (Naylor), Napienola Lester-Barrows (Springfield); Elsie Lester-Minder (Valdosta); Dr. Edna Lester and Leander Boykin (Tallahassee); Johnnie & Carrie Lester (Savannah);nieces and nephews Lillie Lester-Greene (Naylor), Eddie & Carrie Etta Lester (Valdosta), Albert Lester (Naylor), Patricia Dean and Tonya Lester (Naylor), James Lester “Junior” (Tampa), and Bennie Lester (Springfield, MA).

She leaves to cherish her memories her children, Herbert Lester, Jr. (Myrna)-Tampa, FL; Pastor Fadia Lester-McGhee (Carlos)-Jacksonville, FL; Donna Head (Alfred)-Valdosta, GA; Jacqueline Lester (Miles)- Valdosta, GA and Darrell Lester (Kimberly)-Jacksonville, FL; brother and sister-in-law Thomas J. Paschall (Mary)-Atlanta, GA and sister-in-law, Sarah Walker-Tallahassee, FL.

Fifteen (15) grandchildren, fifteen (15) great grandchildren, and a host of nieces & nephews, and other relatives and friends. Special friends dear to her heart include Sister Minnie McCaskill, Ms. Ira Lee Smallwood, Sister Barbara Jefferson, Sister Julia Mae Cooper-Holmes, and Minister Betty Carter.

A special recognition to the medical teams at St. Vincent Hospital, UF Shands Medical Center, Baptist Medical Center, and Douglas Center for Caring (Hospice) in Jacksonville, FL. The genuine love, compassion and treatment shall never be forgotten and is forever sketched into our hearts as a family.

Memorial Service for Mrs. Lottie Mae Lester will be held Saturday, May 8, 2021 at 10:00 AM at Union Cathedral 1050 E Hill Ave, Valdosta, Georgia.

Family Visitation: Friday, May 7, 2021: 4:00- 6:00 PM in the BTW Funeral Services’ Chapel Professional Services entrusted to Blankumsee, Thomas & Wright Funeral Services of Quitman, Georgia.