Lorene Nelson

Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Hollywood Road Community Church in Amarillo, Texas, with the Rev. Charles Jones, pastor, officiating. Arrangements are by Griggs-Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors Pioneer Chapel, 5400 S. Bell St.

Lorene was born Jan. 26, 1929, in Wheeler, Texas, to John and Jewel Calcote, longtime residents of Wellington, Texas. She was married to Pate T. Lester for 35 years until he passed away in 1980. She then married Johnny Nelson of Burkburnett, Texas.

Lorene graduated from Samnorwood High School and later went to Draughon's Business College. She retired in 1994 as secretary of James Bowie Middle School after 24 years. She was a resident of Amarillo for 31 years.

She moved to Seal Beach in 1999 to be close to her two daughters and grandchildren.

She was a wonderful mother and grandmother. A very compassionate, caring and giving person who always put others needs before herself. She was always cheerful, friendly and had a wonderful attitude about life.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Pate T. Lester and Johnny Nelson; and three sons, Jimmy Lester of Eldon, Mo., Ronnie Lester of Holtsville, N.Y., and Tommy Lester of Hiram, Ga.

Survivors include a sister, Ruby Needham of Amarillo; a brother, Raymond Calcote of Farmington, N.M.; two daughters, Sue Head and husband Bill Head of Huntington Beach and Betty Lester Selsted and husband Bart Selsted of Chino; a daughter-in-law, Ann Sizemore Lester of Hiram; six grandchildren, Justin Gibson of Long Beach, Amy Lester of Hiram, Mark James and wife Katherine of Fullerton, Jeremy Lester and wife Allison of Hiram, Truitt James and wife Alex James of Capistrano Beach, and Jennifer Selsted of Westminster, Colo.; and a great-great-grandchild, Thomas Lester of Hiram.

A reception will follow immediately after the memorial service in the fellowship hall of the church.