A little history on Lillie. Lillie was born in Christiansburg,Va. on March 12, 1894 to Jacob and Nannie Bishop. According to her obituary, she moved to Swea City, Iowa at the age of 16. At that same age she married Harley J. Lester on Feb. 3, 1910. Harley was the son of James Abraham Lester and Callie Peterman Lester, also from Motgomery County, Virginia. They lived in Lakota, Iowa, where they are all buried.

Lillie and Harley had 3 children EVERETT RICHARD LESTER, b. 7-24-1914,d.6-26,1960, IRENE, b.8-30-1916 and has passed, but I don't have the date yet., HARLENA MAY LESTER, b.12-21-1918. Records show that Harley Lester died the day his daughter, Harlena was born. He died of pneumonia. Harlena has also passed and again I don't have the exact date. I was 26 years old when my beloved grandmother died, we were very close and shared many memories. I also had the privilege of knowing Everett, Irene, and Harlena. (my aunts and uncles). My grandmother also spoke of a child she and Harley had named PEARLY MAY LESTER who had to have lived and died between 1910-1918. She died at about 3 yrs. of age. So far I cannot find anything on Pearly May.

Two years after HARLEY died my grandma married OLE MOLAN of Swea City and they went on to have 3 children:Virginia Olive b. 7-21-1921..still living and Orville Thomas, b.7-8-19 23 and Lyle Molan whose tombstone in Swea City cemetery only says 1937...so we assume he was born and died in the same year. (Orville is my dad and still living...) Ole and Lillie got married 2-26-1920.

My grandmother was a very special person, because of my love for her I walk the cemeteries and search the court houses and libraries. She would tell you like she told me that she as "just a hillbilly from Virginia" I am proud to say that I AM this hillbilly's granddaughter and I'm proud of the person she was. From her I have learned much, a love of family, life, God, generosity, faith, dignity,humility , strength, character. I wish everyone reading this could have known her.

Sincerely,
Meridee (Jodi) Mahan



Transcription of Lillie Maude's Death Certificate: (This is an official copy from the state of Iowa- County Record- Certificate of Death.]

Decedent's
Name: Lillie Maude Molan
Certificate Number: Bk 6 Pg 320
Sex: Female
Age: 81
Time of Death: X
Autopsy: Yes
Place of Death: Emmet
County City, Town, or Location: Estherville Facility or Residence: Holy Family Hospital
Birth Place: X
State/Foreign County: X
Citizenship (Country ) X
Veteran: X
Hispanic Origin: No
Race: White
Education : X
Soc. Sec. No: X
Marital Status: Not listed
Surviving Spouse: X
Industry: X
Occupation: X
Residence: (State) Iowa County: Kossuth City, Town, or Location: Swea City
Father' s Name: Jacob Bishop
Mother's Name: Mammie (Unknown)
Informant: X
Burial: Method
Burial Place: Harrison Township
City : Swea City
State: Iowa
Funeral Home: X
Director: Lowell W .Henry
F.D. License #: X
Attending Physician: Roy M. Turner, M.D. Certifier: X
Manner of Death: X
Immediate cause of death: Hypovolemia (shock) Due to (Consequence of) Acute peritonitis Due to (consequence of) Perforated gastric ulcer
Date Recieved by registrar: January 9. 1976 No Notation s.

This is to certify that this is a true and correct reproduction of the original record as recorded in this office, issued under authority of Chapter 144, Code of Iowa.

Date Issued: 6-14-2002- by Sue Snyder- County Registrar of Vital Records of Emmet County. C1044248- Form @588-0328C (19 99). Warning: It is illegal to duplicate this copy. Sealed and stamped by the State of Iowa.∼d/o Jacob Richard Bishop
married Feb 3, 1910, Harley J Lester in Bulter, Bates Co, MO
married Feb 26, 1920, Ole Thomas Molan in Algona, Kossuth Co, IA

died of a ruptured ulcer