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Obituary For Deacon John “Sweetning” Lester
A Celebration of Life honoring Deacon Lester will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at 12:00 noon at the Dooly County High School Gymnasium, located at 715 N. 3rd Street, Vienna, Georgia 31092.
Following the service, interment will take place at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church Cemetery, 1129 Peaceful Road, Pinehurst, Georgia 31070.
Deacon John Wesley Lester was born on May 4, 1942, to the parentage of Deacon Edgar Laster, Jr., and Sister Eunice Jordan in Dooly County, Georgia.
On Thursday, July 16, 2026, God called him from labor to rest at his residence, surrounded by his family.
He attended Baker Field Elementary School and the Vienna High and Industrial School, graduating in 1962. After graduating high school, he attended the Nashville School majoring in business. He attended the Fort Valley State College (university) and was a member of ROTC. He also attended Albany Technical School, majoring in drafting.
He worked at Suns Manufacturing in Vienna, Georgia, Unadilla Manufacturing in Unadilla, Georgia, as a supervisor, Farmers Furniture Co., Cordele and Ashburn, Georgia, as credit manager where he retired. He was the first African American to be elected as city councilman in Vienna, Georgia.
At an early age, he joined the Free Providence Baptist Church where he became a deacon, was a Sunday School teacher, chairman of the Deacon Board, and sang in the senior choir. He had a great love for fishing.
He leaves many cherished memories to his beloved wife of 62 years, Mrs. Earlene Coes Lester; children, Wesley Lester, Teia Lester of Vienna, Georgia, Kimberly Lester of Hoschton, Georgia; bonus son, Kency K. Coes of San Diego, California; two devoted granchildren whom he loved dearly, Kabron Kortez Wiggins and Petty Officer Second Class Ta’Zsa Tianee Wiggins of Vienna, Georgia; sisters, Mrs. Annie Smith of Vienna, Georgia, Mrs. Carolyn (Willie Clark) of Winter Haven, Florida, Gwendolyn (Wallace Relaford) of Cordele, Georgia, Vivian Fullwood of Knoxville, Tennessee, Beverlyn Brown of Cordele, GA, Vicky (Alvin Haynes) of Jacksonville, Florida; brother, Edgar Lester III of Columbus, Georgia; two bonus sisters, Bridgett Thompson and Ruby Holdon; stepmother, Mrs. Bernice Laster of Cordele, Georgia; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, many sorrowing friends, Willie Brown, Gary Killings, Hendley Bryant, Jr., Deborah Smith, and the Drayton Community.
He was preceded in death by his mother; father; and a brother, Sheyron Lester.
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Condolences & Tributes
Add A CondolenceMy deepest sympathy to my COUSIN Earlene and Family.
Our deepest condolences to the family during your time of bereavement's.
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With deepest sympathy to your family, you are in our prayers.
With my deepest sympathy to the family.
It sadden the Leggett family to hear of the passing of your husband Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal praying for the family classmate and family
My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this time of sorrow and bereavement
Cousins and family, I'm truly sadden by your loss. May GOD continue to keep his arms around you and give you strength in the days to come. A great man's footsteps has stopped but the memories he left will keep him forever in our hearts.
To the family of Deacon John Lester,So sorry for your loss,he was a good guy and friendly,If he could help you he would.he was a lot of fun to be around.thank God for knowing him.to his wife, children and the rest of his family.they need our prayers and support during this time.keep this family in our prayers.
Praying for the family during this time of the
"I am deeply sorry for your loss. You and your loved ones are in my thoughts."
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Our condolences to the families of Sweetning. Praying that God strengthen them and give them peace, now and coming days.
My condolences to the family of Deacon John Sweetning. Love & prayers to my cousin Earlene Coes Sweetning. ❤️ 🙏
Deepest sympathy to the family. May the memories shared sustain you all. Sweetning was a caring neighbor and friend. He will be missed. Love and hugs to the family.
With my deepest sympathy you will be missed praying for the family love you all
Cousin Earline, we are always in continual prayer for you all, especially now. Our prayer is that God will provide the strength and grace you all need to get through this difficult time. Hold to His unchanging hand and in time your burden of sorrow will be lightened. We love you all. Debra and the Almond family.❤️🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Sending prayers and heartfelt condolences to the family. May God's grace and mercy remain in your presence forever 🙏.
My Condolences to the Family
Sending prayers to the family.
Uncle John you will be missed on this said this is a hard one for me.My Condolences to the family so sorry for your loss
My Condolences to the family. Will keep you all in prayer 🙏
To the family, our deepest sympathy for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult times. Bettie Lloyd and family
So sorry to hear about Mr. Lester. My thoughts and prayers are with you all...much love!! Ginger
Kim, I'm so sorry to learn of your dad's passing. It was always a joy to be around him and he passed that goodness down to you. You'll be in my prayers as you go through this time of adjusting to life with out "Sweetning".
Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.