[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 45 (Tuesday, March 11, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E208]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE LIFE OF GEORGE LESTER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 11, 2025

  Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of George Lester, who 
passed away on January 31st at the age of 85. Mr. Lester is regarded as 
one of the most important business leaders and community advocates in 
the Martinsville-Henry County region of Southside Virginia.
  On April 4, 1939, Mr. Lester was born. His father, of the same name, 
raised his son and the rest of his family in the Martinsville area. Mr. 
Lester graduated from Martinsville High School before attending college 
at North Carolina State University.
  In 1963, Mr. Lester started working full-time for the family 
business.
  Working hard and dedicating great amounts of time towards the family 
business, Mr. Lester eventually took over the business. He became 
president in 1974. Following this rise to a monumental role, Mr. Lester 
reorganized the business as the Lester Group, and diversified the 
business. New deals included work with lumber manufacturing, real 
estate and retail store development, among other endeavors.
  Because of Mr. Lester's leadership, the Lester Group promoted strong 
economic growth in the region. This growth contributed to robust job 
creation and business development. His tenure lasted until 2018, when 
he retired from the Lester Group.
  Another significant idea by Mr. Lester resulted in the founding of an 
influential committee that advocated for a future highway connecting 
Roanoke, Virginia, and Greensboro, North Carolina. The modern-day I-73 
corridor greatly benefited from the creative and authentic thinking of 
leaders like Mr. Lester.
  Appreciated by many in the community, Mr. Lester dedicated a lot of 
time to different local projects. He served as chairman of the local 
United Way, the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce and the 
separate Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation. In 
recognition of his work on the Chamber, he received the Heck Ford 
Award, the Chamber's highest honor. A charitable and thoughtful man, 
Mr. Lester gave land for civic causes and also donated to charitable 
organizations. Numerous community leaders and officials credit Mr. 
Lester for his positive impact on the region.
  Mr. Lester is survived by his wife, Lee; daughters, Elizabeth Walsh 
of Lynchburg, Virginia, Ann Papadakis of Melbourne, Australia, and Sara 
Jedelsky, of Monroe, North Carolina; stepdaughter, Tracy Turlington of 
Barboursville, Virginia; mother-in-law, Ina Richmond; 11 grandchildren, 
and many other family members.
  Mr. Lester was an exceptional business entrepreneur and community 
member. The Martinsville-Henry County region are incredibly grateful 
for his powerful leadership and influential support. He will be missed 
by many, including his family, his community and myself.

                          ____________________