Frances Cheatwood Lester

Frances Cheatwood Lester died April 11, 2026. She was born June 3, 1931 in Lynchburg, Va. She was the daughter of the late William Clement Cheatwood and Eleanor Cox Cheatwood Hensley. She was raised by her aunt Sally Cheatwood Oglesby in Boonsboro, Va.

Frances was a 1961 cum laude graduate of Lynchburg College where she was a member of phi kappa phi, National Honor Society and sigma tau delta, National English Society. She worked as a reporter for the Lynchburg News, a high school English teacher and a technical reports coordinator for Babcock and Wilcox. She retired as a social work supervisor after 28 years with the Department of Social Services for Campbell County.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, William Clyde Lester of Forest, Va. She leaves behind a son, Gregory D. Lester (Sharon) of Forest, Va, two grandsons, Deron Lester and Nathan Lester both of Forest, Va, a great-granddaughter, Alice Lester of Forest, Va and a special friend Cora Brown of Altavista, Va.

Frances enjoyed reading, writing, fishing and spending time with family and friends. She loved to travel both before and during her retirement years. She will be dearly missed by her family.

A graveside service will be conducted at 1pm, Thursday, April 16, 2026 at Fort Hill Memorial Park officiated by Pastor David Turner.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.