Helen B. Lester

en Bernice Lester, 85, passed away Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at her home in Raymore, Mo. with her part- ner Thomas Edwards and her brother Jesse Casteel Jr.
at her side, after battling nu-
merous health issues for the
last two years. Helen was
born on August 6, 1937, to
parents Jesse Casteel Sr. and
Eva L. (Martin) Casteel.
Helen grew up around the
farming communities of
Buckner, Grain Valley, O a kGrove and the Pink Hill area of Jackson County, Mo. Helen was wed in Holy Matri. mony to Mearl G. Lester on June 11, 1955. Helen and Mearl built ahome and settled in Independence,Mo., where they raised two daughters Shelly Lester and Lisa
Lester.
She loved all of her family and enjoyed all the holi-
days with family gatherings. She enjoyed trips to the lake and traveling. She enjoyed collecting small bells and tea pots. Helen is preceded in death by her parents Jesse and Eva Casteel, herhusband Mearl Lester, and her brother Lloyd Casteel. Helen is survived by her beloved partner of 13 years Thomas Edwards of Raymore, daughter Shelly Bloss (Kieth) of Sugar Creek, Mo., daughter Lisa Cameron of Kansas City, Kan., sister Betty Mooreof Tom Ball, Texas, brother Jesse Casteel Jr (Candy) of Kansas City, Mo., Tom's daughter Diann Bonner (Eric) of Blue Springs, Mo., Tom's son Thomas Edwards (Amy) of Raymore, Diann's daughter Beth Anne (Bonner) Cook, and her favorite aunt Virginia Martin of Sun City, Ariz.; grandchildren: Corey1 Trenary, Tyler Bloss, Aiden Bloss, Mason Bloss, Amanda (Bloss) Barrow (CJ), all of Independence, Sara Brown of Windsor, Mo., Rachel Northeutt ofPittsburg, Kan., Jessica Ball of Kansas City, Kan., Breanna Cam- eron of Windsor, and 15 great-grandchildren; along with several nieces and nephews. The family of Helen would like to send a big thank you to the firemen in Raymore for all their help during Helen's last days at home. And also to Helen's niece Cathy Morrison who gave love, comfort, and prayer to Helen in her last days.