Mary Elizabeth Lester

Sister Mary Legette Lester was born on June 16, 1957, and departed this earth on Thursday, March 23,
2023 in Marion, South Carolina. She was a loving Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, Sister-n-Law,
Friend and passed away peacefully at the home.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, to the late Bessie and Weston Legette.
Mary accepted Christ at an early age and renewed her faith by being baptized in the name of Jesus by
Bishop Carl M. Johnson, Sr. Pastor (Highway Church of Christ Pillar Ground & Truth) Chester,
Pennsylvania July 2017. As a young adult, she worshipped at Miracle Church of Jesus (Apostolic Faith) in
Marion, South Carolina with her parents and siblings.
Mary was active in her younger days while attending Terrell's Bay High School, she was a star warrior
basketball player during multiple runner-up games and won the 1975 championship game under Mr.
Taft Watson. She was an inspiration to all when she played and encouraged her teammates as well to
be fearless and competitive.
With the school's name transition from Terrell's Bay High School, she graduated from Rains Centenary High School in 1975. She attended South Carolina State College and Turner Job Corps prior to assuming her career with the Department of Juvenile Justice. She later returned to Marion, South Carolina to work as an Admin Secretary for the Department of Juvenile Justice. She worked for 22 years until her health did not allow her to be mobile for traveling daily to work. For a number of years, Mary was a member at Springville United Methodist Church and served as the church secretary.
She was married earlier in life to Robert Lester, during this union two children were born Robert Jonte and Christopher Grant Lester. She was devoted, loving, and caring to her beloved sons and was a big influence in their daily life's.
She leaves to cherish in her memory her sons Robert Jonte Lester and Christopher Grant Lester, both of Marion, South Carolina. Since her separation from Robert Lester, he remained devoted, caring and assisted their sons during her illness. Robert remained as a dedicated friend over these years to her and also to her family. Her siblings are Barbara Legette-Lockley (who she called big-sister) brother-in-law (Clyde) of Ontario, California; Brenetta L. Johnson (Bishop Carl) of Springfield, Pennsylvania; Connie L.
Brown (Ernest) and Charles Weston Legette (Alice) both of Marion, South Carolina; a very special bonded sister Christine Legette Stuckey of Marion, South Carolina; Carnesa McFadden, Mother of grandson Carson Lester and granddaughter Christy Lester; Tasha Fladger, Mother of granddaughter Skylar Lester; three nieces Jacquetta Owens (Aaron) of Springfield, Pennsylvania, Tiffany Godbolt and Arie Brown both of Marion, South Carolina; three nephews Carl Morgan Johnson, Jr.; Aaron Michael Owens, Jr. and Johnathan Weston Owens of Springfield, Pennsylvania; one Aunt Sarah Frances Leonard of Marion, South Carolina; two uncles: Fred White of Jacksonville, North Carolina and James Grant (Margo) of Wake Forest, North Carolina; God-daughter Crystal Sanders; a host of cousins, loved ones and friends who will cherish her memories for years to come.
Please keep the Lester family in your thoughts and prayers during their time of bereavement.
Arrangements are entrusted to Ideal Funeral Parlor, Inc.
Memorials and Condolences may be mailed to Ideal Funeral Parlor, Inc. 106 E. Darlington Street, Florence, SC 29506 or you may visit www.idealfuneral.com to leave a message for the family.