Betty Joan Lester

Betty Joan Lester, 83, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, passed away on July 29, 2024. Betty was born February 23, 1941, to Roswell and Martha Thompson in Ottumwa, Iowa.

She graduated from Ottumwa High School in May of 1959 and married Frank Edwin Lester on Aug. 22, 1959, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church. They were just days away from celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary.

Being good Catholics, they began their family shortly after their wedding and had four beloved children. In addition to parenting, Betty was employed in advertising sales for many years. They had a busy and active household between school, work, extracurricular activities, and sports. The Lester household was always playing some game or sport (referred to by some as "reindeer games").

She was an amazing cook and excelled at entertaining family and friends. Her green thumb created a beautiful and extensive Hosta Garden, often splitting her plants and sharing them with family and friends. They continue to thrive across multiple states.

Betty and Frank shared many hobbies. She was dangerous at the net on the tennis court and a wicked and competitive bridge player. They participated in RAGBRAI, biking across Iowa as a member of Team BV with their children and friends. They very much enjoyed exploring the world and traveled to dozens of countries on three continents. After retirement, they bought a lovely condo in Jamaica where they wintered for 25 years.

Without a doubt, Betty's proudest accomplishment and greatest joy was her family. She and Frank cherished every moment of family time and are adored by their many grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, Frank; three children Connie (Piers) Harvey, Cathy (Kevin) Jensen and Jennifer (Paul) La Rocca and daughter-in-law, Jere Ramsey-Lester; their grandchildren Alex Lester, Mikayla (Sid Thapa) Harvey, Brianna (Wilson) Bui, Stephanie (Matt) Severance, Bailee (Joel) Shafer, Zac Jensen, Emma La Rocca, Ben La Rocca and Samantha La Rocca. Also, her siblings Mary Fenton and Jack Thompson.

Betty was preceded in death by her son Steve, parents Roswell and Martha, and her sister Patricia Chambers.

A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at Saint Benedict Catholic Church, 950 Darrell Creek Trail, Mount Pleasant, SC 29466. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Building Fund, Saint Benedict Catholic Church, 950 Darrell Creek Trail, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina 29466.

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation – Mount Pleasant, 1520 Rifle Range Road, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464, 843-884-3833.