Pastor David I. Lester

Pastor David Irwin Lester, 68, of Lexington, SC passed away peacefully Friday morning (January 3rd, 2025) at Wellmore of Lexington in SC.

There will be two Celebration of Life Services for David Lester. Saturday, January 18th, 2025, at the Barr-Price Funeral Home in Lexington, SC. The family will be receiving condolences at 1:00pm with a Celebration of Life Service at 1:30pm with Rev. Paul Bush officiating. Saturday (Feb. 1st) at the Winterrowd Funeral home in Streator, IL. The family will be receiving condolences at 2pm with a Celebration of Life Service at 2:30pm with Rev. Noel Maughmer officiating. Weather permitting, graveside service will be in the Long Point Cemetery. The family kindly requests your presence at a dinner reception following the services and will provide details to those planning to attend.

 David was born on August 21st, 1956, in Streator, IL to Irwin and Phyllis (Holz) Lester. He married Joyce Elaine Bentlin on July 28th, 1979.

He is survived by his loving wife, Joyce Lester of Lexington, SC, sister, Patricia (James) Svetz of Hartselle, AL, niece, Monica (Kevin) Shannon of Decatur, AL, daughter, Marcy Murphy of Castle Rock, CO and son, Nathan (Megan) Lester of Lexington, SC, and 7 grandchildren, Christian, Rylee, Eli, Liv, Asher, Lainie and Lillie.

He was preceded in death by his parents Irwin and Phyllis Lester.

David received his BA in Ministry and Evangelism from Moody Bible Institute in 1979.

David Lester was called to preach and did so for 44 consecutive years. He retired on Easter Sunday 2022. He served faithfully at the following churches: Interim Pastor - Calvary Baptist Church, Streator, IL Senior Pastor – Checkrow Community Church, Avon, IL Senior Pastor – Bloomington Bible Church, Bloomington, IL Senior Pastor – Talatha Baptist Church, Aiken, SC Senior Pastor – Second Baptist Church, Beech Island, SC Senior Pastor – West Memorial Baptist Church, Saulsbury, TN

Besides pastoring churches, David was involved in many ministries throughout his career including, prison ministries, director of Junior 2’s at Faith Bible Camp and acting in the American Passion Play.

David loved every congregation that he had the privilege to shepherd through the years and had a passion to further the kingdom of God wherever he was called.

As a devoted husband to Joyce Lester for 45 years, and a loving father to Marcy and Nathan, David exemplified what it means to put family first. His unwavering love and guidance will be deeply missed. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to any of the following active churches/ministries: Checkrow Community Church, Avon, IL Faith Bible Camp, Yates City, IL Bloomington Bible Church, Bloomington, IL Talatha Baptist Church, Aiken, SC Second Baptist Church, Beech Island, SC West Memorial Baptist Church, Saulsbury, TN