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Lester, Bobby C.

Retired From CARTA After 41 Years

  • Friday, January 7, 2022
Bobby Lester
Bobby Lester

Bobby C. Lester, 74, passed away on December 24, 2021, in Chattanooga.

He was born on April 4, 1947, to James A. Lester and Pearline Parker.

Bobby was a graduate of  Howard High School, class of 1965, where he was a member of the “Marching 100” Band.

He was formerly employed by Combustion and retired from the CARTA transit system after 41 years of service.

Bobby was a loving father, husband, brother, son, and uncle. He was a public servant who will be missed by many. His forty-plus years of service as a bus driver made him well known around the city of Chattanooga. Bobby was a member of the Elks.

He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Mattie Rice; father, James Lester.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 55 years, Ora Lester; sons, Stacy Lester, Atlanta, GA, and David Lester, Chattanooga; mother, Pearline Parker, Columbus, OH; sisters, Denise (Anthony) Gibbons Columbus, OH, and Patricia (Spurgeon) Oglesby, Atlanta, GA; brother-in-law, Samuel Shelton, Chattanooga; nephews, Lebron (Ann) Geter, Chattanooga,  Doirreon (Jennifer) Greer, Cleveland, OH,  Spurgeon Oglesby, Tampa, FL, Chandler Oglesby, Tampa, FL, Clifford Banks, Jr. Chattanooga, and Nicholas (Shalina) Banks, Atlanta; nieces, Bobbie L. (Jakeem) Fells, Columbus, and Kenya Banks, Chattanooga; a host of family and friends; special cousin, Bonita (Bonnie) Collins.

Bobby’s best friends, Albert Thornton, Mary Blair Shaw, and DeAngelo Newson.

Public viewing will be held from 2-6 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 9, at the funeral home. An 11 a.m. funeral service will be held on Monday, Jan. 10, in the chapel of the funeral home.

Interment will be in Forest Hills Cemetery.

Arrangements are by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 423 622-9995.

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