Lester, Betty Jo Hanks
Betty Jo Hanks Lester, 92, of Christiansburg, passed away on Monday, May 10 at Kroontje Health Care Center in Blacksburg. Born April 1, 1929, she was a faithful wife and loving mother and grandmother.
She was a member of Grove United Methodist Church, and involved in the Walk to Emmaus and Radford/Fairlawn Daily Bread. She was a former Radford branch manager at Charter Federal Savings Bank for many years and past president of the Radford Chamber of Commerce. Betty Jo loved cooking, sewing, gardening, serving others, and being with her family, especially her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Marvin E. Lester; and her parents, Clyde L. and Bertha Ward Hanks.
Survivors include her son, Mel Lester and wife Dena of Shawsville; son, Jay Lester and wife Michele of Christiansburg; grandchildren, Chelsea, Joelle, Hannah, Kellen, Ellery, Shaye, and Ellen; 9 great grandchildren; and brother Elray Hanks and wife Joretta of Harrisonburg.
An informal memorial celebrating the life of Betty Jo will be held outside at the Grove United Methodist Church pavilion in Radford at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 15. Dessert will be served. We will be following Virginia COVID-19 guidelines for outdoor social gatherings.
Interment, at the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Dublin, will be private.The Lester family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford. www.mullinsfuneralhome.com
May 14, 2021 @ 11:06 pm
Mrs. Betty Jo was one of a kind. If you knew her she was one you’d never forget. I loved how she loved the Lord always wiling to pray for the other residents. She was like the mother hen of our dept. I truly will miss her. The family will be in my thoughts and prayers.