Rev. Joe Thomas Lester

Rev. Joe Thomas Lester, 83, of Holly Springs, died November 8, 2022, at Methodist Olive Branch Hospital. He was a member of Yarbrough Chapel CME Church, Powell Chapel Masonic Lodge #39, MC United League, NAACP, a retired minister in the CME Church, pastored Isom, Gray's, Lewer's and Harris Chapel CME Churches. He was a retired contractor.

Services were held at 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 13 at New Dimension Salt and Light Ministries. Rev. Willie E. Hoey officiated. Burial was in Yarbrough Chapel CME Church Cemetery. J.F. Brittenum and Son Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

He leaves his daughters, Shirley Burton, Johnnie M. Houston, Aretha Lester, LaTosha Blake, all of Holly Springs; sons, Eric Lester of Holly Springs, Thomas Lester of Collierville, Tenn., Antjuan Lester of Holly Springs; sisters, Mattie Stitts of Memphis, Tenn., Sarah Pryor of Aurora, Ill.; brothers, Turner Lester, Enoch Lester, both of Holly Springs; 31 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Bertha Stewart Lester; siblings, Naomi King, Maomi Phillips, Rubie DeBerry, Bernice Lloyd, Noah Lester, Lloyd Lester and Freddie Lester.