Elsie Chester

Elsie Lucerne Lum Chester, 90, passed from this life at Ward Memorial Hospital in Monahans on September 18, 2014 in the presence of her family.



She was born February 1, 1924 in Huntington Beach, California to Charles Blakeman and Marguerite Clark Lum. Elsie grew up during the years of the great depression. She attended public schools in Compton, CA, but had to leave school during her sophomore year to work and help support her family. Though she lacked her diploma, she was a voracious reader and continued her education through her love of reading. Through scholastic testing in the Navy, she scored as having a college equivalent eduction.

Elsie was a devoted mother and grandmother and very involved in her church. She was a member of the Missouri Synod Lutheran Denomination until she received Jesus as her savior in 1986. She then attended New Life Center Church in Monahans where she served as church organist and also in the intercessory prayer ministry. She attended Grace Fellowship Church of Monahans.

Before retirement, she worked in credit collections for the government employees exchange (GEX) in Norfolk, VA until moving with her daughter "out west" in 1974.

Elsie was a veteran of World War II. She served in the Navy with the rank of Seaman 1st Class (Wave). She loved America, she loved her God and she loved her children with all of her heart, instilling in them a deep love for our country.

She is survived by her children, Joanie King and husband Terry of Monahans, TX and Robert Chester and wife Donna of Greensboro, NC; 5 grandchildren, James and Clayton Cunningham of Monahans, Scott Chester of Minden, LA, Megan Chester of Charlotte, NC and Crystal Chester Blackford of San Antonio, TX; and numerous great-grandchildren.

Elsie was preceded in death by her husband, Shelby Chester; parents, Charles Blakeman Lum and Marguerite May Clark Lum; sister, Jessie May Cline; and brother, Charles "Big" Lum.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, January 31, 2015 at 1 PM at Grace Fellowship Church, located at 1200 S. Wilma in Monahans. As Elsie opted for cremation, there will be no graveside service. She did ask that no flowers be sent, but rather those wishing can make a memorial gift in her memory to Beulah Land Ministries, PO Box 13866 in Odessa. She supported this ministry for many years which sends Russian Jews back to their homeland, Israel, while the door of opportunity remains opened.