Betty Herring Lester

Mrs. Betty Herring Lester, 87, passed away Sunday, November 4, 2018 at Elbert Memorial Hospital. A native of Elbert County, Betty was the daughter of the late Vanavora Gary and Daisy Reese Martin Herring.She was the widow of William L “Bill” Lester, to whom she was married sixty-six years. She and Bill co-founded The Elberton Poultry Company.She was also preceded in death by her brother, Joe Bruce Fortson and nephews, Wendell and Gary Fortson.Betty loved her family, gardening, any kind of needlework, and she loved china painting with her best friend, Martha Wells.She was a member of First Baptist Church and was a member of Iota Master Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi for sixty-six years. Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Sydonna L. and Lou Harden, of Elberton; grandchildren and their spouses, Michael and Dot Rutherford, of Elberton, William and Emily Rutherford of Alpharetta, and Gara and John Andrews, of Elberton; great-grandchildren, Chelsea Rutherford and fiancé, Thomas Whitehead, Trey Rutherford and fiancée, Nicole Mandato, Maddie Rutherford, Reece Rutherford, Aryssa Andrews, Emalise Andrews, and Ian Andrews; a special niece, Wanda Campbell; and caregiver, Mamie Perrin. Funeral services were at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 in First Baptist Church of Elberton with Rev. Gary Purvis, Rev. Jay Akin, Rev. Jim McCullough, and Dr. Raymond Scott officiating.Interment followed in Forest Hills Memorial Park with Bentley Ruff, Brad Ruff, Kyle Ruff, Greg Ruff, Craig Fulghum, Kane Fulghum, Hugh Smith, and Peter Lester serving as pallbearers.Members of Beta Sigma Phi were Honorary Pallbearers. The family received friends Monday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Hicks Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church Ramp Ministry, 132 Heard St., Elberton, GA30635, or to T.J. and Friends Foundation, P.O. Box 6161, Elberton, GA 30635. Arrangements for Mrs. Betty Herring Lester were in the care of Hicks Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Elberton.