Ashley Keith Lester, 65, died Tuesday, January 14, 2020, in his apartment, E Wheeling St, Washington, PA, of natural causes. Lester was born December 22, 1954, in Selma, Alabama, a son of the late Hiram Jefferson Lester and Anne Harrell Lester.

Keith grew up in New Haven, CT and Bethany, WV where his father was Professor of Religious Studies at Bethany College and his mother worked in the administrative offices. He graduated from Brooke High School in 1974 and attended the Community College of Allegheny County, PA. He served in the US Navy as an orderly on several posts and at a Veterans Hospital in Texas.

Lester was a very creative soul, an accomplished artist and won several prizes for his sketches. He especially liked drawing historical buildings and his sketch of the former YMCA building, Washington, PA appeared in the Observer-Reporter in 2013 entitled “Picture of Despair.” He was a fine writer who wrote numerous science fiction short stories, although he never chose to publish them. He worked at the Bison Inn, Bethany College dining hall and W&J grounds department, several hospitals and the Washington City Mission. Keith was a member of the Bethany Memorial Church.

He is survived by Uncles Jarrell Lester, Milledgeville, GA and Calvin Harrell, Prattville, AL, cousins Jarrell, Jr., Milledgeville, GA., Judith Lester Nelson, Opelika, GA, Juanita Lester Dial, York, AL,  Lee Lester Loveday, Knoxville, TN, Sara Lester, Sevierville, TN, Celia O’Rourke Waters, Fairhope, AL, Sharon O’Rourke Frenz, Tomah, WI, Bill O’Rourke, Kennesaw, GA, Jim Harrell, Enterprise, AL, Mike Harrell, Opp, AL, Cathy Harrell Tullos, Pawleys Island, SC, Mike and Gaines Harrell, Prattville, AL and step siblings Bruce Reinstedt, Ashland, OR, Lee Reinstedt, Irvine, CA and Joan Cohn, Mt. Shasta, CA.

Keith was cremated and his ashes will be buried in a graveside service at the Campbell Cemetery, Bethany, WV, at 1:00PM, Saturday, February 1, 2020 where he will be buried alongside his parents.  The Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins, pastor of the Bethany Memorial Church (Disciples of Christ) will officiate. Friends will be received at Serenity House, 119 Roosevelt Ave, Bethany, WV from 2:00-5:00PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made to the Hiram J. Lester Scholarship Fund at Bethany College. Checks should be made payable to Bethany College and mailed to 31 E Campus Dr #7, Bethany, WV 26032. Online gifts can be made at www.bethanywv.edu/give, designated for the Lester Scholarship Fund. Condolences and memories can be expressed at www.WarcoFalvoFuneralHome.com