Lester Ham

Obituary "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." II Timothy 4:6-8 Lester Ham was born on May 29, 1949 in Darlington, South Carolina to Pearlie Mae Ham McNeal and was called home to be with the Lord in the afternoon of September 11, 2012. Lester was one of eleven children. Lester was educated in the public schools of Darlington County and attended Mayo High School. Lester began making an impact on his community at an early age as evidence by his receipt of a Certificate of Recognition for his participation in the Neighborhood Youth Corps in 1966. Lester made a quiet peaceful transition to a place much greater, grander and more beautiful than man can ever imagine. Lester loved the Lord and lived to live again. He was a faithful member of Agape Fellowship AME Church in McBee, South Carolina where he served in many capacities: Trustee Pro-Tem, President of Agape Sons of Allen (SOA), Usher and Male Chorus. He was also Vice-President of the SOA for the Sumter District and Treasurer of the Northeast Conference SOA. He never met a stranger and enjoyed sharing about the Love of Jesus. He loved to play the game of golf. It was his passion. Lester was drafted into the United States Marine Corps in 1967 and served in the Vietnam War. After being honorably discharged, Lester returned to New Jersey. He worked for 30 years driving trucks for Wakefern Foods in Elizabeth, New Jersey. After meeting the love of his life, Ruth Mack Phillips, he retired. In 2004, he moved back to his hometown of Darlington, South Carolina. Lester and Ruth were married on July 3, 2004 and enjoyed eight wonderful and blessed years together. Lester immediately embraced Ruth's adult children, Stephanie Phillips and Allen Phillips and their children as his own children and grandchildren, respectively. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Maybell Ham and a nephew, Eric Lemon. Surviving to cherish the memory and maintain the legacy of Lester Ham is his loving wife, Ruth M. Ham of Darlington, SC; his mother, Pearlie Mae Ham McNeal of Darlington, SC; a daughter, Stacy Hazelton of NJ; eight brothers, James (Mary) Ham of East Orange, NJ, Melvin Sansbury and Johnny McNeal both of Darlington, SC, Willie (Cassandra) McNeal and Sammie (Renee) McNeal both of Florence, SC, Clyde (Cynthia) McNeal of Augusta, GA, Donald McNeal of Charlotte, NC, and Roy (Sharon) Williams of Warrington, NC; two sisters, Debra (James) Bull of Florence, SC and Sonja McNeal of Columbia, SC; five grandchildren; a God-daughter, Mikeia McFarland; a God-sister, Brenda (Jerry) Goodson of Elkins Park, PA; two aunts, Nancy L. Ham of Darlington, SC, and Rosa L. McDonald of Florence, SC; an uncle, Ruby Davis of Darlington, SC; a special cousin, Rosa Lee Brown of Newark, NJ; and a host of many loving nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.