Lester, Carrie Josephine (Johnson) 1918-2006

LESTER, JOHNSON, BINNS

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 7/29/2006 at 20:08:05

Carrie Josephine Lester was born June 19, 1918, outside of Leighton, Scott Township in Mahaska County. She was one of six children born to Pearl Mae Binns and Thomas Reese Johnson. Carrie attended local schools and graduated from the Oskaloosa High School in 1935.

After graduation, Carrie worked for her brother at the Tastee Shop in Oskaloosa. On April 3, 1937, Carrie married Harry Francis Lester. They had two sons.

Carrie devoted the remainder of her life to raising her family. Due to Harry's job, the family frequently moved around the Midwest. When Harry retired, they moved to Arizona for several years. Carrie moved to Millington, Tenn., for several years, near her son and his family. While there she taught crafts, sewing and quilting. Carrie was always active and involved in her surroundings. As her health failed, she returned to her childhood home in the Knoxville-Oskaloosa area.

Carrie was an excellent cook, especially baking cakes and pies. The family will always remember the wonderful butterscotch pies Carrie made. Carrie was also a prolific reader. She initialed the books in the Park Lane Village Library as she read them. Most will bear her initials. Carrie's true occupation in later years was quilting. She made one about every 10-12 weeks, accumulating hundreds over her lifetime. She refused to use a sewing machine. Anyone she knew who had a baby received a quilt.

Carrie died June 30 at the age of 88.

Those preceding her in death were her parents; her husband (Feb. 14, 1991); two sisters and three brothers.

Survivors include two sons and their wives, Michael R and Kasandra Lester of Racine, Wis., and John Dennis and Jane Lester of Millington, Tenn.; four grandchildren, Sean Lester of Millington, Tenn., John Michael Lester of US Army, Germany, Thomas R. Lester of St. Charles, Mo., and Carrie D. Lester of Racine, Wis., and eight great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life was held Sunday, July 2, at Park Lane Village in Knoxville with Rev. Bob Morris officiating. Interment was in the Bellefountaine Cemetery near Tracy. Memorials may be made in memory of Carrie to the Knoxville Public Library.

The Knoxville Journal Express, July 10, 2006