Inducted 2008

Herschel LuMeart Lester was born March 6, 1927, in Maplewood (St. Louis,) MO, the only child of Harvey and Opal (Bobo) Lester. He was saved at a young age at an Old Fashion Brush Arbor Camp Meeting in Goldsboro, NC where the family was singing. His early childhood was spent with his parents playing and singing Gospel Music on the street corners and churches in the St. Louis area. This laid the foundation for the Lester Family group that is currently singing and ministering today.

Herschel Lester became an accomplished musician and singer and was a huge part of the Lester Family and Band as it was known in those days. In World War II, Herschel enlisted and served in the Navy. 

Herschel Lester earned a degree in teaching and did just that until his passing in March 2004. He was a music and band director in both the St. Louis and East St. Louis Public School Districts. With a total of 50 years of teaching, needless to say, he influenced and touched the hearts of thousands of people. Herschel taught private music lessons at the family music store everyday. One of the highlights of Herschel’s life was when he and his mom were asked to help teach a singing school for the late Governor Jimmie Davis in Peckerwood Hill, Louisiana at the Jimmie Davis Tabernacle. In the late 1960s Herschel also taught at the Stamps School of Music held in Waxahachie, Texas. 

The Lester Family Gospel Music Ministry was mostly done on weekends because Herschel and his father held down full time jobs, while Opal and Alene (Herschel’s wife) worked at Lester Music Store and Studio.

 Herschel Lester’s life was music. Through the years one of Herschel’s most requested songs to sing was "Thanks To Calvary." The Lester Family has shared many great experiences led by the patriarch of the family, Herschel Lester. They had a weekly Gospel Music TV show in the Midwest for 27 years. The Lesters hosted several tours to the Holy Land and stateside bus tours in the 70’s, and cruises to the Bahamas in the 80’s. Herschel loved to travel and sing with his family and countless friends.