Margaret Nell Lester

Margaret Nell Lester, 91, of Stonewall, Louisiana passed away on Monday, January 13, 2025, at home after a lengthy illness. She was born on April 20, 1933, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to Carroll and Dezzie Sistrunk Prather.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 19, 2025, located at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Drive in Shreveport. Funeral services celebrating the life of Mrs. Nell Lester will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 20, 2025, at the funeral home. Officiating will be Rev. John Harp. Burial will follow at Centuries Memorial Park Cemetery, 8801 Mansfield Road in Shreveport. Honoring Nell as pallbearers will be her grandsons, Scott Self and Todd Self; great-grandsons, Tyler Self and J.T. Self; and special friends, Ashley Powers, Paul Gordon, and Chad Spears. Serving as honorary pallbearer will be her son-in-law, Daryl MacKinnon.

Nell graduated from Istrouma High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where she was a member of the Istrouma girls basketball team. After graduation, she began work at Western Union in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where she met William J. Lester whom she was married to 66 years. They transferred to Shreveport, Louisiana and continued their employment with Western Union in 1963. She furthered her career at Riley Beaird, then on to Caddo Parish School Board as secretary to the Caddo Parish Superintendent of Security.

Nell was passionate about many things in her life. In her early years she played and loved basketball. She would say “I’d rather play basketball than eat!” She had an opportunity to play semi-pro basketball, but her newly wed husband felt the uniform was just too revealing. Nell loved her job and treasured the friendships she made wherever she worked. She looked at it more as an opportunity to serve. She retired at the age of 77.

Nell’s greatest love was for her Lord and her family. She adored her daughter and grandchildren and loved attending their activities, all through their lives. She had a huge extended family for which her love had no bounds. “Gammie” always greeted everyone with hugs and her beautiful smile.

Mrs. Lester is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Lester MacKinnon and husband Daryl; grandchildren, Scott Self and wife Aryn, Todd Self and wife Crystal, Kasey Myers and husband Randall, Naomi Linker and Emily MacKinnon; and 10 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Brookwood Baptist Church-Student Ministry, 9014 Brookwood Church Way, Shreveport, LA 71106.