Bernadine Groseclose Lester

Bernadine Groseclose Lester
April 15, 1916 - January 22, 2022
Bernadine Groseclose Lester was the youngest of four daughters born to William Albert
Groseclose and Nora Lee Copenhaver Groseclose in Pulaski, Virginia. After losing her mother
to the Spanish influenza epidemic in 1918, Bernadine was raised by her father and her beloved
Aunt Kate Parks, of Marion, Virginia/Harlan, Kentucky. Bernadine married Ray Edwin Lester on
October 10, 1934. In 1954 they moved with their three children from Pulaski to Christiansburg,
Virginia, where Bernadine lived until her death. A devoted mother and grandmother, Bernadine
was an active member of St. Paul United Methodist Church, had visited 48 of the 50 states, and
enjoyed socializing with her canasta club well into her 100s.
Bernadine was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters Gillie Moyers, Rena Sue Ellis, and
Alberta Payne; her husband Ray “The Meanest Man in Christiansburg” Lester; her daughter
Carol Lee Morrison (Tom) of Roanoke, Virginia and son Ray Edwin “Eddie” Lester, Jr. of Riner,
Virginia; and Sandy Moyers of Pulaski, Virginia, a nephew to whom she was especially close.
Surviving to celebrate her indomitable spirit and sustain her legacy of family and faith are
Bernadine’s daughter Mary Katherine “Kathy” Hall (Spencer) of Riner, Virginia; her
daughter-in-law Joyce Lester; grandchildren Bob Hudson (Diane) of Louisa, Virginia, Tim
Hudson (Laura) of Dublin, Ohio, Lane Hudson (Rene) of Roanoke, Virginia, Ray Edwin “Les”
Lester, III (Beverly) of Meadowview, Virginia, Mark Lester of Christiansburg, Virginia, Terry Rae
Bodine (Bill) of Lynchburg, Virginia, Rick Hall of Ashburn, Virginia, Andrew Hall (Darien) of
Charlottesville, Virginia, and Ryan Dean (after Bernadine) Hall (Shannon Moore) of Newport,
Virginia. Bernadine also leaves to cherish her memory fourteen great-grandchildren and one
great-great-grandchild (with another on the way!).
The family thanks Kindred Hospice and the staff at Commonwealth Assisted Living (where
Bernadine resided for 16 years) for their kindness and care.
Visitation will be held at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 220 W. Main Street, Christiansburg,
at 11:00 am on Friday, February 4, 2022, followed by a funeral service at 12:00 pm. The family
requests that all guests please wear masks.