Bonnie Lester

Bonnie Faye Rogers Lester, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and devoted servant of the Lord, peacefully passed away on November 21, 2024, at the age of 89. She was surrounded by her loving family at her home in Culleoka, Tennessee.

Born on March 15, 1935, in Lickskillet, Alabama, Bonnie was one of nine children born to Eugene and Martha Abernathy Rogers. She embodied kindness and faith from an early age, nurturing her love for Jesus Christ and instilling values in all those around her. 

Bonnie devoted her life to her family and to her church. Bonnie was a member of the Pentecostal Church of Christ where her mother in law, Sister Jennie Lester pastored for over fifty years. Bonnie was instrumental to the church, serving as Sunday School teacher, youth leader, and special choir singer. Through the years, at different times, she served as secretary and treasurer of the church. She was always the organizer of church dinners and functions. 

On February 5, 1955, she married the love of her life, Terry Lester. For almost seventy years, they built a beautiful life filled with laughter, love, and unwavering support for each other. She and Terry raised their family in Nashville, where Terry was a Metro Fireman. She and Terry had several rental houses, where she never backed down to a job needing done. She was known for decorating, roofing, and even rock work to make the properties beautiful for their tenants. When Bonnnie and Terry weren’t working together, they were fishing, where she was very competitive. They found time from work and fishing to travel. They traveled to forty-nine states. 

If you wanted to put a smile on Bonnie’s face, all you had to do was mention Thanksgiving. Bonnie cooked and prepared Thanksgiving for many years. She not only invited family members, but those who didn’t have a place to go. She started the tradition in Nashville, and when they moved to Scott Hollow in Culleoka, Tennessee, in the 80’s where they built their dream home, Bonnie continued the Thanksgiving celebrations, serving as many as 150 at a time; Terry still survives. 

Bonnie was a proud mother to three daughters, and one son, Paula Lester, Pam (Mike) Cervantez, Susie (Doyle) Parham, Louie (Janet) Lester, her cherished grandchildren, Brandon Cervantez, Michael (Cammie) Hawn, Amanda (Johnathan) Michael, Justin Parham, Caleb (Julie) Cervantez, and Josh Parham. Grandchildren preceded in death include Stacy Lester, Bailey Lester, and Daniel Cervantez. Bonnie had nineteen great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren. 

Bonnie was one of nine children. Surviving siblings include one sister, Barbara Rowland, two brothers, Ronnie (Sonya) Rogers, John (Melba) Rogers, special brothers in law, Jimmy Sanders and Layne McClendon. Siblings preceded in death include Betty Lou McClendon, Dorothy Headden, Eugene “Bud” Rogers, Andy Rogers, Ginger Sanders. Brothers in law preceded in death include Billy Kelley and Jimmie Rowland.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 24, 2024, from 1:00 – 5:00 PM at Heritage Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held on Monday, November 25, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Heritage Funeral Home with Pastor Mark Thomas and great grandson, Chandler Michael officiating. Following the service, she will be laid to rest in Neapolis Cemetery. Pallbearers will be grandsons. Honorary pallbearers will include the Pentecostal Church of Christ members and the doctors, nurses, and staff of Hospice Compassus.