Carl Lester

Carl John Lester, Jr., age 81 of Madisonville made his way home on Monday, Feb 22, 2021 after a brief illness.

Carl was born in Tellico Plains, TN and grew up in Lenoir City. He married and moved back to the town he loved where he raised his family. Carl supported the community as a member of First Baptist Church of Tellico Plains, the Tellico Volunteer Fire Department, Kiwanis Club and various other community organizations. He worked closely with Tellico Plains Mayor and brother in law, Charles Hall to maintain and upgrade telephone communications services to the town and outlying rural areas. After retiring from TDS Telecom, he moved to Madisonville, TN and enjoyed the roles of Papaw and lawn manager until his recent decline in health.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Carl Lester, Sr. and Verona Crowe Lester; wife, Sydney Denton Lester; son, Mark Lester; brothers, Bob and Thomas Howard Lester; sisters, Lena Lester Holt, Billie Nell Lester Hall and Betty Lester Moore.

He is survived by his wife, Penny Newman Lester of Madisonville; daughter, Carla Lester of Kodak, TN; stepchildren, Debbie Newman Tallent and Travis Newman of Madisonville TN and Sherrie Newman Reynolds (Allen) of Lenoir City, TN; grandchildren, Hunter, Trevor and Aiyahna Newman, Heather Ward, Chelsey McCoy, and Anthony Chrisman and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February, 27, 2021 at Myers Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life Service will follow at 2:00 p.m. in Myers Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jerry Plaster officiating. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The House That Mercy Built, P.O. Box 867 Tellico Plains, TN 37385 or to the Monroe County Isaiah 1:17 House, www.Isaiah117house.com . Carl was happy to support both of these nonprofit organizations.  Myers Funeral Home of Tellico Plains is in charge of arrangements. If you are unable to attend, you may sign the guest registry on our website at www.myersfuneralhometn.com .