Nellie Sherwood Lester

Cheyenne Star

05-02-2002

Submitted by: Wanda Purcell

A beautiful memorial service was hel at 2 p.m., Friday, April 26, 2002, at Trinity United Methodist Church for Nellie S. Lester, 74, of Roswell, NM. Pastor Kim Kinsey conducted the service. A gathering at the church followed the service. Nellie passed away Satuday, April 20, 2002, at Eastern New Mexico Medical Ceneter.

Nellie was born to Frank and Edna Sherwood March 13, 1928, in Moorewood, Ok. Both parents preceded her in death. Nellie married James (Murl) M. Lester in Oklahoma, June 30, 1953. James (Murl) preceded her in death. They had three children, Mary, James and Ann.

Nellie is survived by her children, Mary Valigura and her husband, Paul, of Albuquerque, James Lester of Rosell, daughter-in-law, Lisa Lester of Las Vegas, Ann Standefer and husband, Steve, of Tularosa and step-daughter, Helen Riddall and her husband, Delvert, of Roswell; sisters, Josie Bodey of Elk City, OK, Cora Hawkins of Chirckasha, OK, Frances Ferrell and husband, Fred of Leedey, OK, and Betty Maxwell and husband, Cleo of Rosamond, CA; and one borhter, Durwood Sherwood and his wife, Louisa, of Hammon, OK.

She is also survived by her grandchildren, Erin and Jordan Valigura of Albuquerque, Jennifer Atkinson and her husband, James of Roswell, Ashley Lester of Las Vegas, J.J. Lester of Roswell, Kristy Morris and her husband, Charles, of Amarillo. Lauren and Trace Standerfer of Tularosa; two great-grandchildren, Brent Wray Adkinson of Roswell and Bailey Marie Morris of Amarillo.

Her brother, Frankie Sherwood, preceded her in death.

Nellie taugh Oklahoma schools at Turpin, Durham, Cheyenne, and Elk City. She taught at Harte, Texas, schools in Artisa, New Mexico and Pecos Elementary followed by a real estate career, which she truly loved in Roswell, NM. She was a joy to be around and truly loved all people. Nellie had lived in Roswell since 1967.

Burial will take place in the family plot in Cheyenne cemetery, Cheyenne, Roger Mills County, Oklahoma.

Services were under the direction of Anderson-Bethany Funeral Home and Crematory at Roswell, NM.