1. Stafford Funeral Home; Lynco, WV; Posted Obit.
"Anett “Neva” Lester, 70, a faithful servant of the Lord, went home to be with her Savior on Saturday, April 4, 2026. Born on July 29, 1955, in the quiet hills of Simon, WV, Neva lived a life that was a living testimony to the grace and goodness of God. As she finished her earthly race, she did so with the conviction of 2 Timothy 4:7: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Neva’s love for the Lord was the heartbeat of her life. A devoted mother, grandmother, and sister, she always put her family first, anchoring them with her unwavering trust in God’s word. Her home was a sanctuary of laughter, guidance, and the aroma of home-cooked meals. Nothing brought her greater joy than having her family gathered around the table, sharing stories and seeing her loved ones walk in the light of Jesus. Neva was reunited in Heaven with her parents, Orie and Jocie Blankenship her husband, Dennis Lester her sisters, Joyce Toler, Barbara Toler, Lougetta Toler, and Nancy Cline her brother, Eddie Morgan her beloved daughter-in-law, Lora Toler her special niece and "sister," Maretta Higley and the father of her children and dear friend, Clonal Toler. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness and devotion that will continue through her survivors: Her three sons, Adam, Clayton (Shane), and Brian Toler, and her daughter, Leanna Lester. Her Grandchildren: Tiffany (David) Cook, Alyssa (Coby) Hurley, Amber (Daniel) Bailey, Payton Toler, Mckinzie Toler, Madison Toler, Jordan Toler, and Lashayla Dempsey. Her 14 precious great-grandchildren who were the light of her life. Her Siblings: Joan (Joe) Morgan, Chuck (Glenda) Blankenship, Lana Graley, and Donnie (Monroe) Cole & a special friend: Sammy Lester, along with a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins that she adored. The family invites friends and community members to join them in celebrating Neva’s journey home. Funeral service will be held at 1 pm on Monday, April 13th in the Chapel of Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco, WV with Rev. Herman Cook and Rev. Sammy Lester officiating. She will be laid to rest in the Morgan Cemetery, Simon, WV. Friends may gather with the family from 11 am until time of service on Monday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be family and friends. "Well done, good and faithful servant thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." (Matthew 25:21) The family is being served by the Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco, WV."
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1949); Page 8; WV Archives Website.
Edward Garwood Hudgins; age 22; born in Crystal, WV; single; living at Giatto, WV; married on 20
Jan 1949 at McComas, WV; Nanette Elaine Halsey; age 21; born in Long Beach, CA; single; living
at Gary #7, WV.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1949); Page 8; WV Archives Website.
Edward Garwood Hudgins; age 22; born in Crystal, WV; single; living at Giatto, WV; married on 20
Jan 1949 at McComas, WV; Nanette Elaine Halsey; age 21; born in Long Beach, CA; single; living
at Gary #7, WV.
1. 1920 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Bradshaw; taken 29/30 Jan 1920; Page 222 B; Family #150/150.
Listed as Taft Thornsbury; age 12; born in VA; in household of father, James A. Thornsbury.
2. Russell Co, VA; Marriage License #30693; Ancestry.com Website.
Taft Thornberry; age 47; born in Buchanan Co, VA; widowed; miner; one previous marriage; living
at Jolo, WV; son of Alex and Sarah (Payne) Thornberry; married on 22 Oct 1955 at Lebanon, VA;
Lula Mae Lester; maiden name Horn; age 38; born in McDowell Co, WV; widow; one previous
marriage; living at Paynesville, WV; daughter of John and Sarah (Lester) Horn.
1. 1920 Census, McDowell Co, WV, Sandy River District, Paynesville, taken on 4/5 Feb 1920, Page 227A,
Family #235.
Listed as Lula Horn, age 3, born in WV, in household of father, John F. Horn.
2. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1933); Page 198; WV Archives Web Site.
Dewey Lester; age 24; born in McDowell Co, WV; single; miner; living at Paynesville, WV; son of Paris
and Elizabeth; married on 30 May 1933 at Paynesville, WV; Lillie Horn; age 21; born in McDowell Co,
WV; living in Paynesville, WV; daughter of John and Sarah.
3. Russell Co, VA; Marriage License #30693; Ancestry.com Website.
Taft Thornberry; age 47; born in Buchanan Co, VA; widowed; miner; one previous marriage; living
at Jolo, WV; son of Alex and Sarah (Payne) Thornberry; married on 22 Oct 1955 at Lebanon, VA;
Lula Mae Lester; maiden name Horn; age 38; born in McDowell Co, WV; widow; one previous
marriage; living at Paynesville, WV; daughter of John and Sarah (Lester) Horn.
4. "McDowell County WV Cemeteries", Vance Cemetery, Paynesville, McDowell Co, WV.
Lula Horn Lester; born on 2 Jul 1917; died on 2 Apr 2000; "Daughter of John and Sarah, added by
Lona Payne".
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1949); Page 11; WV Archives Website.
Oscar J. Roberts; age 29; born and living in Iaeger, WV; single; married on 21 Jan 1949 in Welch,
WV; Minnie M. Lester; age 18; born and living in Iager, WV; single; with consent of Lula Lester;
mother of Minnie M. Lester.
2. U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name Oscar James Roberts
Gender Male
Birth Date 14 Mar 1919
Birth Place Iaeger, McDowell County, West Virginia, United States of America
Death Date 2 Dec 1979
Death Place Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, United States of America
Cemetery Paris Lester Cemetery
Burial or Cremation Place Ikes Fork, Wyoming County, West Virginia, United States of America
Has Bio? Y
Father Emanuel Roberts
Mother Patty Roberts
Spouse Minnie Maybell Roberts
Children
Dorretta Sue Spurgeon
Walter L Roberts
Dennetta S Watts
URL https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/268776167/oscar-james-roberts"
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1949); Page 11; WV Archives Website.
Oscar J. Roberts; age 29; born and living in Iaeger, WV; single; married on 21 Jan 1949 in Welch,
WV; Minnie M. Lester; age 18; born and living in Iager, WV; single; with consent of Lula Lester;
mother of Minnie M. Lester.
2. U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name Minnie Maybell Roberts
Maiden Name Lester
Gender Female
Birth Date 26 Jun 1932
Birth Place Ikes Fork, Wyoming County, West Virginia, United States of America
Death Date 6 Oct 1988
Death Place Columbus, Bartholomew County, Indiana, United States of America
Cemetery Paris Lester Cemetery
Burial or Cremation Place Ikes Fork, Wyoming County, West Virginia, United States of America
Has Bio? N
Father Maston Lester
Mother Lula Lester
Spouse Oscar James Roberts
Children
Dorretta Sue Spurgeon
Walter L Roberts
Dennetta S Watts
URL https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/193774977/minnie-maybell-roberts"
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1949); Page 12; WV Archives Website.
James Brown; age 67; born in Ashland, VA; widower; colored; living in Welch, WV; married on 23 Jan
1949 at Welch, WV; Sarah Hardin; age 34; born in AL; widow; colored; living at Welch, WV.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1949); Page 12; WV Archives Website.
James Brown; age 67; born in Ashland, VA; widower; colored; living in Welch, WV; married on 23 Jan
1949 at Welch, WV; Sarah Hardin; age 34; born in AL; widow; colored; living at Welch, WV.
1. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV, Sandy River District, taken on 21 Apr 1930, Page 212A, Family #167.
Listed as William Cline, age 3 yrs, 8 mon, born in WV, in household of father, Leck Cline.
2. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1949); Page 15; WV Archives Website.
William M. Cline; age 22; born in Mohawk, WV; single; living at Panther, WV; married on 22 Jan
1949 at Panther, WV; Margaret Whitt; age 17; born in McDowell Co, WV, Hurley, WV (sic, Hurley, VA);
living in Panther, WV; wirh consent of Larcie Whitt, mother of Margaret Whitt.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1949); Page 15; WV Archives Website.
William M. Cline; age 22; born in Mohawk, WV; single; living at Panther, WV; married on 22 Jan
1949 at Panther, WV; Margaret Whitt; age 17; born in McDowell Co, WV, Hurley, WV (sic, Hurley, VA);
living in Panther, WV; wirh consent of Larcie Whitt, mother of Margaret Whitt.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1949); Page 53; WV Archives Website.
Tom Avery; age 48; born in AL; widower; colored; living at Welch, WV; married on 13 Feb 1949 in
Welch, WV; Florence Williams; age 60; born in Atlanta, GA; widow; colored; living at Welch, WV.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1949); Page 53; WV Archives Website.
Tom Avery; age 48; born in AL; widower; colored; living at Welch, WV; married on 13 Feb 1949 in
Welch, WV; Florence Williams; age 60; born in Atlanta, GA; widow; colored; living at Welch, WV.