Velma Mclester

Velma Ramelle Herrin McLester, formerly of the Ridgecrest community, died Tuesday night, January 21, 2014. Visitation will be from 5-6:30 p.m. Friday at Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle, with the funeral following at 7 p.m. conducted by Henry Anderson. A private graveside service will be Saturday at Running Creek Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery. She was preceded in death by a brother, Vernon Herrin, and two sisters, Pauline Hatley and Rachel Hinson. She was also preceded in death by the love of her life, Ira “Junior” McLester, who died Sept. 10, 1995. She is survived by two daughters, Barbara Carpenter and husband, Johnny, and Denise Drye and husband, Benny; two granddaughters, Blair Carpenter and Elizabeth Cook; a grandson, B. J. Drye; four great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Jean Bost and Sue Huneycutt. Born June 23, 1925 in Cabarrus County, she was a daughter of the late Millard and Clara Herrin Connell. She retired from Allison Manufacturing and was active in Ridgecrest Presbyterian Church as long as her health permitted. She enjoyed gardening, visiting with her Ridgecrest neighbors and loved her church and her God. The family would like to thank longtime caregivers Lisa Morton and Peggy Huneycutt. Memorials may be made to Ridgecrest Presbyterian Church, 24517 Ridgecrest Road, Locust, NC 28097; GHA Autism Supports, PO Box 2487, Albemarle, NC 28002; or Stanly County Rescue Squad. Hartsell Funeral Home is serving the McLester family. Online condolences may be made at www.hartsellfh.com