Johnie Lester

J.G. (Johnie) Lester, age 91, of Hiram, GA, passed away on Sunday, October 8, 2017. He was born on June 9, 1926, in Hiram, GA, to the late John Henry & Georgia Elliott Lester, and was preceded in death by his brothers,  Inus E. Lester and Linton S. Lester.  He lived in Paulding County until January 2004, and moved to Crawford County, GA and lived there from January 2004 until his death.

He is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Betty Joyner Lester, two sons, Stephen Curtis Lester and Jonathan Paul Lester; one daughter, Anna (Dan) Blair; grandchildren, Amanda (Jeff) Williamson, Constance (Josh) Blair-Padgett, Brayden Lester, and Justin Lester; great-grandchildren, Lilly Williamson and Caden Williamson; niece Virginia (Sonny) Carroll, nephew, Robert E. (Denise) Lester; and many other loved ones and friends.

He grew up in rural Paulding County, graduated from Hiram High School in May 1944, joined the V6 U.S.N. Reserve. After serving two years in the Reserve during World War II, he received honorable discharge.

After receiving his discharge he farmed for four years and grew vegetables

He left the farm and was employed by Coats & Clarke, INC, in Clarkdale, GA, Thread Mill, where he worked for 33 ½ years. He taught an in-plant cotton mill mathematics and technology course, served as a supervisor of various departments and shifts, and became manager of the manufacturing process Quality Control Department at Clarkdale Mill where he remained until the Clarkdale Mill closed in 1984.  He chose to take an early retirement and became a senior structural assembler at the Lockheed Marietta Air Craft Plant. He retired from Lockheed in 1994 and devoted his efforts to the Paulding County Historical Society and served as president of Historical Society until he and his wife moved from Paulding County to Crawford County where he lived until his death.

He was an ordained deacon and a member of The Fort Valley First Baptist Church, an emeritus Mason and a member of Bartlett Lodge No 139 F.& A.M. at Hiram, GA, a member of the Wm. G. England Daylight Lodge F & A.M. at Rockmart, GA, and a member of American Legion Post 0076 at Fort Valley, GA. He was a former member and Deacon at Poplar Springs Baptist Church and played with the Paulding County Pea Pickers.

Graveside services will be held on Thursday, October 12, 2017, at 11 AM, at Paulding Memorial Gardens, with Pastor John Light officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, October 11, 2017, from 5 PM until 8 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association, www.heart.org.

Clark Funeral Home in Hiram, GA, is in charge of arrangements. (www.samclarkfuneralhome.com)