Newton-Forsyth County GaArchives Obituaries.....Col. R. P. Lester, Sr. November 29 1902
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Phyllis Thompson mandpthompson@bellsouth.net October 22, 2003, 10:36 am

The Georgia Enterprise, December 5, 1902

Col R. P. Lester Sr. Dead
  The sudden and uexpected death of Col R. P. Lester Sr. at his home in 
Midway at noon last Saturday, cast a gloom over the entire city. It 
came as a shock to everybody and to those who were in conversation that 
morning could hardly believe the sad news.
  Colonel Lester had been in feeble health for several months but 
nothing of a serious nature was entertained by his friends. He continued 
to work and when the summons came he had just gone home to take a rest.
  Colonel Lester was born in Lawrencville, Gwinnett county, Georgia, 
November 30, 1832, and consequently lacked only one day of being seventy 
years old. He spent his childhood and early manhood in Cumming, Forsyth 
county and was married to MISS MARY J. WADDELL, daughter of Rev. J. W. 
Waddell, and eminent Presbyterian divine on November 1, 1855, who preceded 
him to the grave on April 24, 1902. He recieved a liberal education for his
day, and entered the legal profession, which he pursued successfully until 
the call to arms in 1861, when he raised a splendid company of volunteers 
and was elected captain. The company was organized into the Fourteenth 
Georgia regiment, and was designated as Company E, of that gallant command, 
which comprised a part of General E. L. Thomas' brigade. He served four 
years in the Army of Northern Virginia, being promoted by regular 
graduations from captain to colonel, and was in command of the Fourteenth 
Georgia Regiment at the surrender at Appomattox on April 9, 1865.
  After the surrender Colonel Lester returned to his home at Cumming, Ga., 
where he practiced law for more than thirty years. He was a man of broad 
learning and an able advocate at the bar. He was always found on one side 
of all public questions and after he had taken his stand, he threw his 
entire energies into it for its accomplishment.
  Four years ago, Col. Lester gave up the practice of law and moved to 
Covington, where he has since resided. He was warm hearted and true and 
to his friends generous to a fault. He was a consistent member of the 
Methodist church for more than fifty years and a prominent member of the 
masonic lodge.
  He leaves four children, Col. J. G. Lester and R. P. Lester, Jr. of 
Covington, Mrs. J. H. R?ke, of Augusta, and Mrs. C. C. Foster, of Roswell.
  The interment took place in South Veiw cemetery Monday morning.


Additional Comments:
According to the 1902 calender, Col. Lester Sr. died on November 29, 1902.

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