Martha Anne Lester
Sunday 19th of November 1933 - Tuesday 1st of January 2019

Services
Visitation
Director Dan Hanshel
Funeral Service
Director Dan Hanshel
Martha Anne Breland Lester, 85, passed away peacefully on
January 1, 2019, in Lexington.
She was born in Richmond, Kentucky, on November 19, 1933, to
the Rev. Clyde and Mrs. Bessie (Nicholson) Breland, but soon thereafter moved
with her family to Louisville, where she was raised. After graduating from Shawnee High School for
Girls, she attended the University of Louisville on a full scholarship,
receiving both an undergraduate degree and a Masters in Education. She taught in elementary and middle schools, mostly
within the Jefferson County Public School System but also at schools in the
Lexington area, for more than 50 years.
During her career, she taught every grade from Kindergarten through 8th. Her students became teachers, lawyers,
nurses, doctors, and, in at least one instance, a National League Football
player.
In 1956, she married her husband, Harold D. Lester, who
became a well-known pediatric dentist in the Louisville area. In addition to supporting his practice, she
was active in and served as President of the Alliance of the American Dental
Association, the Alliance of the Kentucky Dental Association, and the Alliance
of the Louisville Dental Society. Dr.
Lester predeceased her in death in 2014, after 58 years of marriage.
She was known for her glorious soprano voice, and, over many
years, sang as a featured soloist at numerous churches and other venues and, on
one occasion, as a guest with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. She and her husband were dedicated members of
Walnut Street Baptist Church in Louisville for more than 45 years, where, in
addition to singing, she directed numerous children’s choirs and musicals, a role
that she continued at First United Methodist Church and Liberty Road Faith
Fellowship Church after moving to Lexington in 2000. She was also proud of her volunteer work at
Baptist Health Lexington, which she began after her husband’s death.
She is survived by her children, Harold D. Lester, Jr. (Donald
McMinn), and Elizabeth Lester Finch (Robert Finch), and four grandchildren,
Walt and Breland Finch and Lillian and Alexander Lester-McMinn.
A funeral service honoring her life will be held at 11 a.m.
on Saturday, January 5, 2019, at Liberty Road Faith Fellowship Church, 2734
Liberty Road, Lexington, with visitation at the church beginning at 9:15 a.m.
prior to the service. A brief remembrance
will follow at 2:30 p.m. in the Faith Chapel at Resthaven Memorial Park, 4400
Bardstown Road, Louisville, prior to burial.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be
made to Liberty Road Faith Fellowship Church of Lexington.
Guest Book
Thelma Finch
saysI had the pleasure of getting to know Harold and Ms Martha at First United Methodist Church in downtown Lexington. She sang in the choir and did programs with the children and was always smiling. She never met a stranger and if you were around her, you would eventually be talking with her. She was such a wonderful lady and we became very close in the last couple of years. You are sure being missed by many people in your Church Family, but we all know that you are with Harold and my son Bobby, trying to get things organized in Heaven to work with the children getting another choir together. RIP sweet Martha, Love Thelma and I'll see you again one day.
Laverne A. Robertson
saysBeautiful lady, beautiful voice....beautiful life. When my daughter, Beverly was 3, Martha was her choir director. She asked her to sing her first solo “in the big church,” which my daughter did not know was the plan. Blessings to her family.
Norma Smither
saysI had the privilege of knowing Martha and working with her when she was the FaithKids Choir Director at Faith Fellowship of Lexington, who is now Liberty Road Faith Fellowship. The kids loved Ms. Martha and it was evident that she loved them. She made such a difference in those little lives and such a difference for the Kingdom. Martha was like a bright light when she entered the room--always with a smile. She was so fun to be around and to work with and is missed by her church family and by me. Thank you, Martha, for loving us and allowing us to love you!
Mary Anne Pollock
saysMartha was a precious and dear person. I am so grateful that my grandsons were able to participate in the children’s music program at Faith Fellowship. She will be missed by many.
Ernest Wallace
saysMartha was a wonderful lady. I volunteered at Baptist Lexington with her and she taught me the ropes. I enjoyed our many conversations. She was a delightful person. I am happy that she is no longer suffering, but I will miss her dearly. I know she is singing with the heavenly choir now!
Linda Fooks
saysMartha was a dear friend and will truly be missed. We met after the death of Harold at a spouse loss support group and I am not sure what I would have done without her.