Frances C. Lester

Chilhowie, Va.

Frances C. Lester, 89, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, May 15, 2017 from Valley Health Care in Chilhowie.

Frances, known to all who loved and love her as "Frankie," was born in Marion, Va., Sept. 22, 1927. After marrying George V. Lester, they lived in Detroit, Mich. for about two years, 1950-52, then moved back to Sprinkle Avenue in Marion. The family moved to the Plum Creek community near Glade Spring in 1963, where Frankie made her home until going into the nursing home about two years ago.

Frankie was exceptionally talented at sewing and crochet work. Countless people possess cherished works of crochet art that she offered as gifts — comforters, shawls, scarves and much more. She could envision almost any design and simply create it with a needle and yarn.

As a young woman, she worked briefly at the Harwood sewing factory in Marion under the supervision of her mother, Gertrude Pickle, before becoming a full-time homemaker.

Frankie's Plum Creek house was a welcoming home away from home for many. Her generous heart, humor and unconditional love made her "everybody's mama" at times. Many a child or teen friend of her sons was made to feel like her own when they came to visit. And she could turn an enemy into a friend in the spirit of forgiveness and loving kindness.

Frankie loved to read a good book, and the Good Book, loved to laugh and tell a good joke and brighten a room with her smile. She had a fine alto singing voice that graced the choir at Washington Springs United Methodist Church and the Eleventh Hour, a gospel group composed of neighbors who performed at local churches for several years. Hers was a musical family, and that Plum Creek house was often filled with homegrown music over the years.

Frankie's warmth, kindness and generosity overlaid the tough spirit of a survivor who overcame many tragedies, hardships and battles with illness. She was truly a happy warrior.

Frankie was preceded in death by her parents, Brown F. and Gertrude Day Pickle; husband, George V. Lester of Glade Spring; son, Michael V. Lester of Weber City, Va.; infant daughter, Peggy; sisters, Loretta Kilby and Charlotte Gentry of Marion; step-granddaughter, Jessica Monroe; and step-son-in-law Harold Davenport.

She is survived by son Jeff Lester and wife Dawn of Weber City; cherished stepdaughter Marylee Davenport of Plum Creek; granddaughter Amber Lester Kennedy and husband Sean of Chesapeake, Va.; granddaughter Amanda Lester Farmer; great-grandson Ryan Farmer; great-granddaughter, Blake Watson; grandchildren Christopher and Terri; step-grandson Quentin Dabney; Mike's life partner, Ann Crites of Weber City; Frankie's Washington Springs church family and Plum Creek neighbors; niece Brenda Cress of Marion; nephew Danny Kilby of Chilhowie; numerous other family members and friends.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 20, 2017 at 6 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel with Pastor Larry Lusk officiating. Graveside services will be held Monday, May 22, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Rose Lawn Cemetery, Marion, Va. The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 4 p.m. until the time of service.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.seaverbrown.com. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory is honored to serve the Lester Family.