Queen Esther Lester

     Queen Esther Lester, 97, of Columbus, formerly of Chillicothe, passed at 11:21 a.m. Monday, May 26, 2025 in Wexner Heritage Village, Columbus following an extended illness.

     She was born July 14, 1927, in Eufaula, OK to the late William and Nettie Brinkley Dorn.  On October 29, 1950, she married William D. “Bill” Lester who passed October 13, 2011. 

     Surviving are a son, Tyrone D. (Terry A.) Lester, of S. Euclid, OH; daughters, Candie K. Lester, of Columbus, OH, Helen R. (J. Frazier) Lester-Smith, of Cincinnati, OH, and Barbara M. Larkin, of Cincinnati; grandchildren, Ryan Douglas Larkin, Kyle Patrick Lester, Aaron Frazier (Alanna) Smith, Adrian Robert William (Katie) Smith, Avery Nichelle (Darien) Larkin, and Sydney Renee Larkin; great grandchildren, Freya and Vaeda Smith; a brother Roosevelt (Joyce) Dorn, of Inglewood, CA; several nieces and nephews; and many friends, including special friends, Mary Ehret, Martha Trent, Herb Hoosier, Lois and Norm Kruckenberg, and Gary and Noredia Smith.  She was predeceased by 3 brothers and 4 sisters.

     Queen was an active member of St. Peter Church.  She was also an active member of many community organizations and sororities, including the NAACP, League of Women Voters, Soroptimist International, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Tuskegee University Alumni Association (Dayton Chapter), the Red Hat Society, and S.A.L.T.  Queen had also served on the board of the Ohio Public Library Information Network, the Chillicothe-Ross County Public Library, The American Cancer Society, and the National Associate for Retired Federal Employees (NARFE).  She retired from the Chillicothe VA Medical Center in 1987 as the Assistant Chief of Dietetic Service.  Following retirement, she worked for WIC for nine years.  Queen had also served 2 terms as a Chillicothe Council Member proudly representing Chillicothe’s 3rd Ward.    

     Mass of Christian Burial will be offered 11 a.m. Saturday, June 14, 2025 in St. Peter Church with Fr. Stanislaus John, Celebrant.  Family and friends may call at the WARE FUNERAL HOME from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, June 13, 2025.

     The family would like to extend a special “thank you” to the staff at Wexner Heritage Village for the wonderful care given to Queen and compassion shown to our family during this time.

     In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Chillicothe-Ross County Library 140 S. Paint Street Chillicothe, Ohio 45601 or to Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Ohio 173 W. Second Street Chillicothe, Ohio 45601.

     You may sign her online register at www.warefh.com

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