Hargis Lester

Hargis Lester, son of the late Joe and Eva Hentz Lester, was born in Batesville MS, on June 5, 1927. He was a faith and the oldest member of Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church. Hargis was born just two years before the Great Depression when times were hard for families. Yet he received as much education as possible and upon reaching the age of military enlistment, he joined the United States Navy and served during WWII and received an honorable discharge in 1945.

Upon returning home, Hargis married Ruby Ellis on July 10, 1948 and in 2005, she preceded him in death. To support his family, he gained employment with Deviney Construction Company where he worked for over 30 years. 

He loved fishing, hunting and cooking and most of all playing spades.

On Sunday, October 6, 2019, the Lord said, "Sit own servant and take your rest." Hargis Lester obeyed and went home to be with the Lord.

He is survived his daughters: Mary Griffin of Sardis MS, Elizabeth Lester and Allison Lester of Batesville MS, Jacqueline Lester of Savannah GA, and Betty Jean Lester of Grand Rapids IN; his sons: Joe Lester, Jr., of Oxford MS, Jimmy Lee Lester, Stanley Lester and Donald Kerry Lester all of Batesville MS; his sisters: Jenelle Matlock and Elizabeth Brown both of Olive Branch MS; 120 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 

Hargis Lester is preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Eva Lester; his wife: Ruby Lester; children: Gregory Lester, Arlene Lester, Gail Lester and Peggy Lester; and brothers: Shackeroff Lester and Willie James Ellis.

Please keep the Lester family in your prayers.