Glenda Clippard Lester, 76, died unexpectedly April 12, 2019 at FirstHealth Hoke Hospital.
She was born July 26, 1942. Glenda, or Grandma as many knew her, lived a selfless life serving her community. As a member of Raeford Presbyterian Church, she served as an elder, committee member of Ministry of Christian Education, chairwoman of the Spiritual Nurture Committee, member of Coastal Carolina Presbytery Missions Committee, youth advisor, and Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher. She made regular trips to Mexico to build houses with Faith Ministry. She was known to regularly provide scholarship money to underprivileged kids of the church, and sponsor children through Compassion International. She provided free tutoring for children at the local library, and served on the Friends of the Library Committee. She was heavily involved with Hoke County Habitat for Humanity, Operation Christmas Child, fundraising for the book mobile, and the book exchange across Hoke County. In her 57-year career as a teacher, she touched the lives of countless children. She spent 46 years at J.W. McLauchlin Elementary School, before retiring from the state. She then spent an additional 11 years at Flora Macdonald Academy. In 1986 she was honored as Hoke County's Teacher of the Year.
She is survived by a sister, Deborah C. Wellington of New Bern; two nephews, Jason Bryant Wellington (Laura) of Wilmington, and Patrick Brock Wellington (Theresa) of Indian Land, South Carolina; two great-nephews, Charlie Wellington, and Luke Wellington; one great-niece, Betsy Wellington; and her companion in life, L.S. Brock of Raeford, and his daughter, Lynn Brock.
Visitation will be Thursday, April 18, 2019 from 10-11 a.m. in John C. Ropp Fellowship Hall, at Raeford Presbyterian Church. The funeral will follow at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Dr. Steven Fitzgerald officiating. Burial will be in Raeford Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Raeford Presbyterian Church Youth Program, or Raeford Presbyterian Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 1570 Raeford, NC 28376