Mary Ann (Trudy) Lester

Mary Ann (Trudy) Lester, 87, went home to heaven September 12, 2015. She was born in Pampa, Texas November 21, 1927 to Dr. D. H. and Clarice (Dodson) Truhitte. Her father was a pastor and the family moved to various churches in Missouri and Texas until 1942 when he was called to pastor Hyde Park Baptist Church in Austin. Mary Ann graduated from Austin High School in 1944. She attended Mary Hardin-Baylor after high school where she became "Trudy" which was a shortened version of her maiden name; and "Trudy" she has been ever since. She married Carter Lester on December 22, 1945. They were married 68 years until his death in March 2013.

Trudy gave her heart to Jesus at an early age and lived a life reflecting the grace and love of God. She was a life-long Baptist and an active member of First Baptist Church, Round Rock.

Trudy went back to school to finish her education and graduated from the University of Texas in 1966 with a degree in Elementary Education. She taught at Dawson and Pillow Elementary Schools in AISD until 1971 when she and Carter bought a cotton farm southeast of Round Rock and founded Camp Doublecreek Summer Camp. For several years, Trudy also had a private school on the camp facilities. Once Camp Doublecreek was founded, she became "Aunt Trudy" to over 4 decades of campers and counselors.

In addition to working together at Doublecreek, Carter and Trudy had many interests: they both loved the Longhorns and they enjoyed traveling. They visited all 50 states as well as traveling extensively internationally.

Trudy is survived by daughters, Judy Lester Kirtley (Bruce) of Round Rock and Jane Lester Neal (Frank) of Burleson, Texas; grandchildren, Tracy Kirtley Johnson, Dan Neal (Andrea), Drew Neal (Lindsay), Tim Neal (Claire) and Paul Neal; great-grandchildren, Brooklyn and Sadie Neal; sister-in-law, Hazel Dean and her husband, Dr. Joe R. Griffin; and a niece and nephews and their families. Trudy was also preceded in death by her grandson Scott Kirtley.

Trudy’s family will greet guests at a visitation to be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, September 18, 2015 in the Capitol Room of Cook-Walden Capital Parks Funeral Home in Pflugerville, Texas. Services to celebrate her life and legacy will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 19, 2015 at First Baptist Round Rock, 306 Round Rock Avenue, Round Rock, Texas. Committal services will be held privately.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Carter & Trudy Lester Fund, for camp scholarships, c/o STARRY - A Children at Heart Ministry,1300 North Mays, Round Rock, TX 78664.