Lester Artis

Lester McCoy Artis COURTLAND - Lester McCoy "Les" Artis of Whitehouse Road passed Nov. 7, 2010 in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. The Southampton County native was born Sept. 7, 1947 to Garnett H. and Pattie Bynum Artis. After 37 years of service, he retired in April 2010 from Dominion Power Corporation. He was a member of Bryant Baptist Church where he served on the Trustee Board and the Usher Board. He was a member of the Lions Club and the Sportsman Association Inc. Lester attended the public schools of Southampton County afterwhich he joined the U.S. Navy. Lester was preceded in death by his father and sister, Cassandra Spruill. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn B. Artis of Portsmouth; three children, Zakia McKensey of Richmond, LaMont Artis and Lester LeShawn Artis of Portsmouth; his mother, Pattie B. Artis; four sisters, Esther Artis, Madline Artis, Lofrandra Lewis of Richmond, and Gloria Harding of Bowie, Md.; six grandchildren; aunts, uncles, a very special aunt, Lurvinia Bynum; nieces, nephews and many other relatives. A celebration of life will be held Monday, Nov. 15, at noon in Bryant Baptist Church, 23375 Bryants Church Road, Courtland, with the pastor, the Rev. Johnnie Lyons delivering the message. Burial is in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Sunday, Nov. 14, from 4 to 6 p.m. A traditional service with dignity will be conducted by Wm. M. Johnson & Sons Inc., 224 S. Main St., Franklin. Please share your condolences with the family at www.wmjohnsonandsons. com.