Linda Leane (Dotson) Lester

Linda Leane  “Murl” Lester, age 85, a lifelong resident of Phelps, Kentucky was welcomed into the arms of God on March 2nd,2025, at her home. 

Linda was born on Feb 29th, 1940, in Phelps Ky. A leap year baby, she proved she was extra special from the day she was born. She was the daughter of the late Pricy and Marion Dotson.

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her loving husband, Rev. Muncy Lester, her siblings Marion Dotson Jr., Arthur Dotson, Cecil Dotson, Ray Dotson, Sadie Lacourse, Lillian Ward and her children Misty Tondalaha Lester, Tamara “Bo” Lester, and Jeffery Dean “Big Sid” Lester. 

Linda was a “Jill of all trades”, holding many occupations throughout her life. She was a beautician, florist, EMS, cook, housekeeper, amongst many other roles. However, her favorite role was being a mother and grandmother, as her family was always her main priority. She was a founding and lifelong member of The Church of God in Jesus Name in Phelps KY and she loved serving the Lord.  

Linda enjoyed cooking and she was the best Mexican cornbread and chicken and dumplings maker to exist. She also loved listening to country music on her radio, watching the hummingbirds feed on her porch,  cleaning, watching her grandchildren’s ball games, and UK basketball.  She loved to have biscuits and gravy for breakfast or any time of day. She loved having her kids and grandkids around and in her later life she loved shopping with Shakira. She also loved her little dog, Levi. Linda had the best sense of humor and wit, and she was the backbone of her entire family, who will forever have a large void that will never be filled. 

Those surviving Linda include her adored children, Robert Keith Lester (Janie Wilson) of Phelps Ky, Karen Jean Lester-Smith of Paintsville, KY, Marty Dewayne Lester (Virgie Lester) of Millard Ky, Cristy Lester-Dunn (DJ Dunn) of Georgetown Ky, Shakira Reshae Lester of Phelps, Ky and daughter in law Susie “Suekatt” Lester of Phelps, Ky.  

Linda was the proud, loving grandmother to Catlin Lester (Belinda), Nakita Clark (Jay), Kourtney Dotson (Cory), Andrew Lester (Tasha), Matthew Lester, Austin Chafin (Charlie), Alexis Chafin (Nick), and Dalton Smith. She was also the proud, loving great-grandmother to Jaycie, Rylee, Cooper, Isabella, D3, Emmalyn, Gracen, Ella, Oaklyn, and Brixley. 

Visitation will be held at 6:00 P.M. on March 4th and March 5th 2025 at The Church of God in Jesus Name in Phelps KY with special services starting at 7:00 P.M. with Pastor Jimmy Fields & David Norman officiating.

Funeral services will begin at 12:00 noon March 6th, 2025 at the church with Pastor Opie Harris officiating.  

Interment will follow at the Blankenship Cemetery in Stopover, Kentucky with friends & family serving as Pallbearers. 

Jones & West Funeral Home of Phelps, Kentucky is honored to serve the Lester Family.  Our guestbook may be viewed online at www.joneswestfh.com.

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