Ballard Lester

Most men are lucky to leave this life with one lasting legacy, but on October 5, 2021, Ballard Lee Lester left this world for his Heavenly home, and in doing so, left behind an entire list of legacies. He will always be remembered as a great man of God, a doting husband, a loving father and grandfather, an Army Veteran who served his country, a coach to so many, and the Lester Boys' (Brian, Nick and Andy) biggest fan.

Born December 5, 1948, in Pemberton, West Virginia. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl Lester and Lena Mae Thompson Lester, as well as, three brothers, Fred Lester. Carlen (Buck) Lester, Carl (Punk) Lester Jr., and a sister Nancy Harless.

In February of 1969, Ballard was drafted into the United States Army, where he fought and served with honor.  In July of that year, he married what would be his life-long love, Mary Catherine (Cathy) Zeboskey, by which he is survived. Two weeks later, he was shipped off to Vietnam, where he earned a bronze star and proudly served his country until 1971, when he and Cathy were blessed with a son, Brian Lee Lester, by which he is also survived.

They lived their life and raised Brian in the Sophia and Midway areas where Ballard became an integral part of the community. From serving as a Deacon and Sunday School Superintendent at Sophia Freewill Baptist Church to his over 40 years of service and dedication to Sophia Little League he was a staple in the community and a friendly face to so many. Once you met Ballard, you knew him; he never met a stranger. And if you knew him you knew these things: He loved his family with his whole heart and his grandsons with his whole heart plus; Nickolas and Andrew Lester hung the moon in his eyes. And you knew the man loved baseball!

While his heart belonged to Independence Baseball and Sophia Little League, if you have been to a baseball field in any part of Raleigh County in the last 40 years, you have probably ran into Ballard Lester. He coached many kids over the years, heckled quite a few umpires, and maybe even got tossed from a game or two, but that's baseball and that is what he loved.

Goodbyes are hard, so we won't say them. For now we'll just say "Bye-Cicle", until we see you again.

Funeral services will be conducted at Sophia Freewill Baptist Church in Sophia, WV on Friday, October 8, 2021 at 3 PM with Pastor Bobby Carter officiating. Burial will follow at Hot Coal Cemetery in Sophia, WV. Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the services on Friday at the Church.  Pallbearers will be Aaron Bowles, Andrew Lester, Chris Cox, Dakota Lester, Nickolas Lester, and Reece Price.

Private online condolences, floral tributes, and other expressions of sympathy may be directed to the family via our guestbook at www.roseandquesenberry.net .

Arrangements are by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, 1901 South Kanawha Street, Beckley, WV.