Lester Brown Gammill's Obituary
Lester Brown Gammill, born in Cleveland, MS, on August 30, 1955, and a resident of Memphis since 1985, passed away on March 26, 2025. Lester was a dedicated member of the Memphis Jaycees, where he spearheaded the "Skyfest" hot air balloon festival. It was through the Memphis Jaycees that Lester met and married Debra Rainey Gammill, his beloved wife of 33 years. Together, they raised their son, Carter Ross Gammill.
Lester was an active member of The Church of the Holy Communion. He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Lester “Pete” Gammill, Jr., his brother, Thomas Lester Gammill, III, his brother-in-law, Van Meador, niece, Sarah Gammill and stepfather, Darion Franks. He was shortly followed in death by his mother, Mae Frances Brown Gammill Franks. He is survived by his sisters, Gaye Gammill Davis (Bill), and
Frances Meador. Lester also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.
Lester was immensely proud of his Southern heritage. He attended Delta State University and The University of Southern Mississippi. He was a certified deep-sea diver and welder, a Deputy Sheriff in Bolivar County, MS, and a licensed investment broker for 38 years. An avid outdoorsman, Lester enjoyed boating, fishing, and hunting, and founded The Delta Outing Club in 1998 in Tunica, MS.
Lester will be remembered as a dedicated, hard-working man who loved his family and his church deeply. A Requiem Eucharist will be celebrated in Lester's memory at The Church of the Holy Communion on Saturday, April 5, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation in Cheney Parish Hall at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery at the corner of Poplar Ave. and Yates Rd., with a reception immediately following.
Donations or flowers may be sent in memory of Lester to The Church of the Holy Communion or the charity of your choice.
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