Phyllis Amelia Lester passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday, December 8, 2017.  She was born on Sunday, August 6, 1950 at her family's home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the third of six children of the late Marjorie (nee Thurston) and Waldo C. Lester, Sr.  She attended grade school locally and in Itazuke, Japan, while her family was stationed at the Itazuke Air Force Base.  Phyllis was a 1968 graduate of Atkins High School and played the flute in the band.  For several years she lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her younger sister.  After moving back to Winston-Salem, Phyllis became a school bus driver with the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools system.  She received great satisfaction playing this part in children's education, and her riders expressed affection for 'Ms. Phyllis'.  Phyllis was baptized at and was a lifelong member of Hanes Memorial CME Church, and she sang on the HMC Chorale as long as her health permitted.

Phyllis was an "Aunt Supreme" and was considered a "second mother" to her sister Sheila L. Kennedy's only child, LeeVonne C. Lester, Sr., both of whom preceded her in death.  She was indeed the aunt or great-aunt her nieces and nephews ran to when they were being chastised by their parents; Phyl would without fail take the children's side over their parents.  They often stated he/she was the 'favorite' nephew or niece because Phyl, Phyl-Phyl, Phyiolis, Auntie Phyl-Phyl, protected each one from getting in trouble as best she could.  An avid reader, she enjoyed receiving books to read, some historical in nature and some just trashy.

In addition to those previously mentioned, Phyllis was also preceded in death by her eldest sister, Sylena E. Nesbitt.

Those left to cherish her memory are her sisters, Marjorie L. Brannon, of Hampton, VA and Yvonne L. Thacker of the city; her brother, Waldo C. Lester, Jr. (Dana) of Lutz, FL; her brother-in-law, John D. Nesbitt, Sr.; niece, Sheila W. Nesbitt who provided care giving support in the home, and nieces, Kimberly D. Nesbitt, Tanya D. Thacker of Greensboro, NC, Jennifer A. Thacker, and Taylor V. Lester of Lutz, FL; nephews, Robert E. Brannon, Jr.(Natalie) of Chesterfield, VA, Ronald L. Brannon of Hampton, VA, and John D. Nesbitt, Jr. of Charlotte, NC; great-nieces and great-nephews especially three who thought of her as a grandmother, Sylena N. Lester-Johnson, LeeVonne C. Lester, Jr., and Sylena D. Nesbitt all of the city; and a host of relatives, cousins and friends.

Memorial services will be held at 12noon Saturday, December 16, 2017 at Hanes Memoria CME Church with Reverend Clarence W. Cox, III officiating.  The family will greet guests beginning at 11:30am until 12noon on Saturday at the Church.