Shelba Lester

Our precious and most beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Shelba Lester, age 83, left her earthly abode to eternally to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, February 19, 2022. Shelba was born January 7, 1939, in Tyronza, Arkansas to Troy Henry and Lucille (Meeks) Howard.

After being orphaned very early in life, Shelba with her younger sister, Shirlene, and baby brother, Troy, were raised by their maternal grandparents. As a young teenager, Shelba and her siblings suffered the great loss of their grandmother. Her grandfather took on the sole responsibility of raising them. With Christ as the center of all, he taught her the unconditional love of Jesus and The Holy Bible which she carried in her heart throughout life. When Shelba was merely 17, she moved to Memphis, Tennessee where she began her career with International Harvester serving 29 ½ years of loyal dedication. She then continued her career with Kimberly-Clark. In 1995, Shelba joined her daughter, Lisa with a publicly held scrap iron and metal company where she then retired in 2012. Her loyal dedication to work paled in comparison to her love of family and friends. On February 11, 1958, Shelba married the love of her life, Bobby W. Lester, Sr. with the approval of her grandfather. Together they made their home in West Memphis, Arkansas and raised their 3 children, Lisa, Gina, and Bobby, Jr. Shelba was a selfless woman who willingly sacrificed to meet the needs of others. She adored children, especially her grandchildren and was lovingly known as Grandma and Memaw. Shelba was a bright light in this world, and her smile, kindness, selflessness, and love for Jesus Christ, will be missed so very much by everyone who was blessed to know her. She was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; brother, James Troy Howard; mother figure, Willie Mae Miller; brother-in-law, Bud Schuh; and her best friend, Sophia Dantes. Shelba is survived by her husband of 64 years; children and their spouses; grandchildren: Ashley, Allison, Laura, Christopher, and Harrison; great grandson, Aiden; sister, Shirlene Schuh; sister-in-law, Marketta Howard; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and other family.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.billmerrittfuneralservice.com for the Lester family.