Dorothea Betti Lester

Dorothea Betti (known by family as “Oma” and friends as “Thea") Lester (Bloessl) died peacefully on March 15, 2016 in Hopewell, Virginia at the age of 85.
Dorothea is survived by her sons, Brooks Hubert Lester (Connie) of Chester, VA, Allen William Lester (Lynne) of Hopewell, VA; grandchildren, Damien Ackerman of Hopewell, VA, Brooks Allen Lester (Shelley) of Dinwiddie, VA, Eleis Marie Lester of Charlottesville, VA, Evan Daniel Lester of Chester, VA; great-granddaughter (and namesake), Thea Jayne Lester of Dinwiddie, VA; sister, Christa Scheckenbacher (Georg) and brother, Hubert Bloessl, both from Germany, and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Simon and Betti Bloessl of Furth, Germany; and husband, Brooks Lester of Hopewell, VA.
Dorothea was born on May 7, 1930 in Zirndorf, Germany. She met her husband in Germany while he was serving in the US Army. Dorothea and her husband owned and operated Lester’s Sunoco and Lester’s Radiator Shop, both in Hopewell, until they retired. As a founding member of the German Speaking Damenkubt (German Ladies Club), “Thea” remained an active member until her passing and made many life-long friends who she cherished like family.
Growing up, Dorothea was amazingly resourceful during wartime in Germany and worked tirelessly to help support her family. After marrying and coming to the US, she became a savvy business woman while working and raising her American family. Her hobbies included gardening and she was an avid animal lover. Her family absolutely adored her and cherished the times all together around her table sharing their favorite schnitzel, fried potatoes, and peanut butter cake that she made with love. “Oma” will be greatly missed by all.
A visitation is scheduled on Sunday, March 20 at J. T. Morris Funeral Home in Hopewell, VA from 2:00 to 4:00. A graveside service is planned at 11:00 on Monday, March 21 in Bermuda Memorial Park, located at 1901 Bermuda Hundred Road, Chester, VA. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to your local animal shelter or SPCA. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com .