On Friday, February 7, 2020, Simon Lester, of Jacksonville, GA, passed away peacefully at home at the age of 84. Simon was born on August 24, 1935, in Cobberville, GA, to William and Leila (McKinnon) Lester. He graduated from Telfair High School in 1956, and after serving his country in the U.S. Army, he married the lovely Jerilean (Geraldine) Riley. They raised two beautiful children, a son, Simon Gerald (Carmen) Lester, Sr., and a daughter, Hope Lynne Scott.
Simon enjoyed long careers with Wonder Bread and Keebler Cookies in Omaha, NE, before retiring at the age of 53, and returning to home to Jacksonville. He had a passion for fishing, hunting and tending to his livestock. In his free time, he loved watching baseball, football and basketball. A god-fearing man, Simon was a long-standing member of Rockhill C.M.E. Church, where he enjoyed singing in the choir. He was known for his quiet strength, warm smile, kind heart and was always quick to help anyone who needed it.
Simon was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, William and Charles Jeffery (C.J.) Lester; and his sister, Margaret Wilcox.
He is survived by his wife and two children; two grandchildren, Simon Gerald Lester, Jr. and Mercedes Lynne Harris; three great grandchildren, Itasia Simone Johnson, DaKhari Malik Edwards, Dion’ Trae Leron Edwards; brothers, James (Helen) Lester, and Horace (Evelyn) Lester; sisters, Amanda Ervin, Maude Vereen, and Lerlean Smith; and a joyfully large number of nieces and nephews.