Betty Lou Lester was born June 7, 1946 in Rowe, VA, the baby daughter of Airs and Ruby (Keene) Shortridge. She entered into rest on February 16, 2025 in Neosho, Missouri at the age of 78.

Betty Lou Shortridge attended Oakwood High School in Oakwood, VA. Betty Lester was married to Dexter Lester on April, 19th 1964 in Chesterfield, South Carolina. The couple was blessed with four sons, Ricky Dale Lester, Brian O'Dell Lester, Jeffrey Scot Lester, and Dexter Lee Lester. Betty made the best decision of her life at the age of 26 by accepting Jesus Christ to become her Savior. Betty served the Lord her Savior for 52 years working alongside her husband in the ministry. She and Bro Lester celebrated 51 years together until he passed in 2015. She attended Bible Holiness Assembly of God in Neosho, Missouri. Betty loved going to church and was involved with the ladies prayer group at Bible Holiness Assembly of God. Betty worked at Nicsinger Uniform Co., Sapona Textile, and La-Z-boy. She loved gardening and was able to bring anything back to life, also Betty had a real knack for picking four leaf clovers. She loved visiting and ministering in nursing homes especially during the Christmas season, she would give her handmade Christmas cards to the nursing home residents. She was involved in the Local Neosho TOPS chapter. Betty loved people and everyone knew she was on her way to heaven and invited them to go with her.

Betty is preceded in death by her sweetheart Dexter Lester - father and mother Airs and Ruby Shortridge - four elder sisters Naomi Smith, Maxie Gallimore, Mildred Redding, Jettie Spivey.

Betty is survived by three younger brothers Daniel Shortridge - Honaker, VA, David Shortridge - Rowe, VA, Dennis Shortridge - Franklinville, NC, four sons Ricky Lester and Teresa Neosho, MO, Brian Lester and Missy Joplin, MO, Jeffrey Lester and Regina Kilgore, TX, Dexter Lee Lester and Misty Acworth, GA, eight grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, numerous relatives, and countless friends.

A visitation will be on Sunday, February 23, 2025 from 1:00-2:30PM at Clark Funeral Home- Chapel of Memories in Neosho, Missouri. Funeral service will be held on February 24, 2025 at 10:00AM at Bible Holiness Assembly of God in Neosho, Missouri.

Graveside following at King Cemetery.