Nora Ruth Lester

Nora Ruth “Cissy” Lester, 62, of Maysville, Kentucky died Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at her residence. Miss Lester was the owner and operator of Hutchison’s Grocery since 1996. Hutchison’s Grocery is currently in its one hundred and sixty fifth year of continuous operation and service to the Maysville community. Her store “Hutchison’s” was featured in two books, Eating Your Way Across Kentucky and Eating Your Way Across Kentucky Recipes both by Gary P. West. She was proud to be a part of a tradition that was started by the Hutchison family who specialized in country ham. Her ham was shipped all over the country. Rosemary Clooney and her husband Dante were known to order ham from Hutchison’s as well as many, many other Maysville transients. Her country ham was served in the hospitality room of Heather Rene French Henry at the 2001 Miss America Pagent.

Besides being known for country ham, Hutchison’s was voted Second Best Burger location in Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky in 2013. During her ownership of Hutchison’s, Cissy has been featured in several full page articles in the Ledger Independent. One entitled “Country Ham Connection” and another titled “It’s Better To Give Than Receive.” She loved any animal, but had a special place in her heart for cats. She adopted many cats in her lifetime and gave them a good home.

Cissy was named Outstanding Citizen in December 2011 by the Kentucky House of Representatives for her exceptional effort in providing Christmas presents for the underprivileged children in Maysville. Cissy loved Christmas. She had Christmas parties for underprivileged children at her store and home. All of her friends and family wanted to help make the party and gifts as big as possible. She would get a list of the children and then would go shopping, making sure each child had an outfit of clothes, shoes and a coat and of course toys and a Christmas party with pizza! Then Santa would arrive and give out all the presents and candy. This was a highlight of the season for Cissy! She was an avid reader who shared her thousands of books with friends she met at her store. For many years, her customers were treated to a Christmas Village display consisting of village pieces that she had hand painted over the years. Children loved to watch the trains make their way thru the village.

Cissy was a big supporter of the Maysville Lion’s Club Auction. As a community supporter, she donated her country ham sandwiches to organizations to assist them with their fund raising projects. Cissy Lester was known to all as fun, as giving, as loving and caring and she in return was loved by all who knew her! She was born in Maysville, Kentucky on January 13, 1953, the daughter of the late William Lee Lester and Sarah Ellen Edgington Lester. She is survived by her three siblings, Janet Lester and James Lester (Wanda) both of Maysville, KY and William Lester (Patricia) of Lexington, KY as well as several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Marion Lester and her sister-in-law, Patricia Markwell Lester. Funeral services for Cissy Lester will be held at the Knox and Brothers Funeral Home at 11:00 AM Friday, August 21, 2015 with Pastor Lonnie Blosser officiating. Burial will be in the Maysville Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Ronnie Bennett, Anthony Florence, Bill Lester, Freddy Lucas, Michael Lester and Billy Curtis. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, August 20, 2015 from 6 to 9 PM. Memorials may be made to Cardinal Hill, 2050 Versailles Road, Lexington, KY 40504.