Eleanor Phillips Lester

Eleanor Phillips Lester, 93, longtime resident of San Antonio, Texas, and more recently of Yulee, Florida, made the transition from physical life to immortal life on Friday, March 26, 2010, in Yulee, Florida.

Born November 20, 1916, in Port Arthur, Texas, she was the youngest child of Zachariah Steven and Flavia Block Phillips. She grew up in Beaumont, Texas, graduated from South Park High School, and was employed for a number of years by the Jefferson County Health Department.

Following her marriage to Charles Daniell in 1944, the couple moved to McAllen, Texas, where they opened an insurance agency. They later moved to San Antonio, where he passed away in 1957. Mrs. Lester continued to work in the insurance industry, meeting Robert Lester.

They were married in January, 1966, and together opened an insurance agency near downtown. Mr. Lester passed away in 1979.

Over the years Mrs. Lester found great joy through her involvement in music. She played violin in her high school orchestra and the instrumental ensemble at First Baptist Church, Beaumont, Texas. She and her brother-in-law, Sam Hughes were the core of a gospel quartet that sang all over Southeast Texas.

While living in McAllen she sang in the choir at First Presbyterian Church. After moving to San Antonio, Eleanor became active in the choir at First Baptist Church, serving two terms as choir president.

Following her retirement, she became the librarian for the church's music ministry and served in that capacity until 2004.

She moved to Florida in 2005, becoming active in the ladies Sunday School class at Amelia Baptist Church, and a strong supporter of the Allegiance Youth Choir.

Affectionately known by relatives and friends as "Aunt Reddie," Mrs. Lester was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Charles Edward Daniell and Robert Samuel Lester; sisters, Zana Phillips Byer and Electra Phillips Hughes; brother, George Steven Phillips and step-grandson, Fred Harbordt, Jr.

She is survived by sister-in-law, Mary Belle Phillips of Niantic, CT; niece, Amy Phillips Agles Jim of Niantic; nephews, Gary Phillips of Austin, Texas, and Russell Hughes Nancy of Yulee, Florida; step-daughter, Bettie Harbordt and step-granddaughter, Susan Dorsey Lynn, of Placerville, CA; two step-great-granddaughters, one step-great-great-grandchild and seven great nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Monday, April 5th at 9:00 A.M. at the church.

MEMORIAL CELEBRATION

MONDAY

APRIL 5, 2010

10:00 A.M.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

515 MCCULLOUGH

Interment in Sunset Memorial Park.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be made to the music ministry of First Baptist Church, 515 McCullough, San Antonio, TX, the Allegiance Youth Choir at Amelia Baptist Church, 961167 Buccaneer Trail, Fernandina Beach, FL, or Northeast Florida Community Hospice, 96084 Victoria's Place, Yulee, FL 32097.