Funeral service for Constance "Connie" Clendenin Lester, 88, of Nacogdoches will be held at 11:00am on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at First United Methodist Church with Lorainne Brown and Jeff McDonald officiating.  Visitation will be held from 9:30am - 10:30am at Fredonia Hotel Rusk Room prior to the service on Thursday.  

Mrs. Lester passed away on Sunday, June 7, 2026 in Nacogdoches.  

Constance “Connie” Clendenin Lester was born April 29, 1938, at “the old” Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas. She was extremely proud to be the daughter of a Methodist Minister, Reverend Stewart and Elizabeth Fly Clendenin. She lived her early years in 6 different East Texas parsonages. These moves enriched her life with a wealth of friends and memorable experiences. During the first 18 years of life, she lived in Houston, Jacksonville, Bryan, Port Arthur, again in Houston and Beaumont. Connie graduated from Beaumont High School and Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. Following graduation, she served 6 years in the University Student Personnel Department, fulfilling staff positions, at Southern Methodist University, Southwestern University and Louisiana State University. While in Baton Rouge she met and married John Hardin Lester of Nacogdoches, Texas on July 17, 1965. They lived in Beaumont for the first 7 years of marriage, where their daughter Paige and son Stewart were born. After Beaumont the family spent 3 wonderful years in Greenville, South Carolina.

In 1975, Connie and John, along with their 2 children, moved to Nacogdoches, Texas. John and Connie were partners with the Schmidt family in their “ladies specialty store”. Connie was not one to be found on the floor showing the latest fashion but more “behind the scenes” in the basement receiving shipments and special orders or working backstage of style shows. One of her most fond memories of this time was hosting and welcoming Victor Costa and Women’s Wear Daily to Nacogdoches. As a second career, Connie served 6 years as the Program Director at First United Methodist Church in Nacogdoches and 8 years as Activities Director at Pinecrest Retirement Community in Lufkin. It was during this time that Connie was able to express her love of travel and organizing and planning group trips.

Connie has been an active member of First United Methodist Church, Nacogdoches for 50 years, where she served faithfully. She has been an active member and leader of many Community organizations and Sisterhoods throughout her life. Several of these included the United Methodist Women, Altar Guild, Junior League of Beaumont, Nacogdoches Junior Forum, Rotary Anns, Literati Study Club, Stephen F. Austin Dean’s Circle & Friends of Music, Nacogdoches Heritage Herald’s – Founding Member and Hall of Fame Recipient, Alpha Delta Pi Sorority and the P.E.O. Sisterhood.

Preceding her in death were her parents, husband John Hardin Lester, son John Stewart Lester and brother-in-law Ed Slaughter. Surviving are her daughter, Elizabeth Paige Reynolds and son-in-law James Bradley Reynolds of Nacogdoches, three grandchildren, who were her pride and joy, Caroline Reynolds Johnson (Brian) of Alexandria, VA, James Bradley Reynolds, Jr. of Houston and Victoria Grace Reynolds of Dallas; sister, Betty Ann Slaughter, nieces Pamela Bush (Philip) and Kathleen Chaney (Dan) and four great nieces and nephews, all of Dallas. Her extended family of 35 plus years Goldie Reynolds, Bridget and Bret, Hudson (Kelsey), Rowan (Reagan) and Britton Arrant who she loved as her own and cherished spending the holidays together.

The Family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for all of the love and care they and Connie have received over the last year from friends and caregivers. We extend a special thanks to Rhonda, Teresa and the Henry Healthcare team along with Brittany and Harbor Hospice for the incredible care they took in maintaining Connie’s health and dignity. We also thank Aimee Bird and the therapists at Westward Trails for their encouragement during her rehabilitation. Finally, we so appreciate the Magnolia Court family for providing such a loving “home” for Connie these last few months.

A visitation will be held at The Fredonia Hotel – Rusk Room on Thursday, July 18th from 9:30 –10:30 with a Celebration of Life to follow at 11:00 at First United Methodist Church, Nacogdoches. Memorial gifts may be sent to First United Methodist Church, Nacogdoches –Organ Fund, Stephen F. Austin State University Friends of Music or the charity of your choice.