Lester Smith, in memorium

From this month's aldermanic newsletter:

Last week, we lost one of our Community’s heroes. We mourn the passing of a friend, a community leader, a supporter, a mentor and a husband with the passing of Lester Smith. Serving as the President of the Chesterfield Community Council for the past several years, he was a tireless advocate for the people of our community and Black people in general. Volunteering at many of our events and even driving me to appointments in the last campaign, he was a believer in what we are trying to do in the 6th Ward. His big heart and big love required that he take time out of his life to work with, teach, advise, chastise and help young people. It was this love that caused him to ‘adopt’ my niece, Annina and nephew Michael and take them under his wing. For this I will be eternally grateful.

Our hearts broke when we entered the house to give his wife Denise our condolences and offer our support. No one will ever be able to fill the gap left by her loss of a caring and supportive husband. I will miss the email job listings he would send because he knew how desperately our people need jobs. I will miss the books he would give my nephew because he understood the dangers attached to being a Black youth in the inner City. I will miss him period. The entire 6th Ward staff offers our sympathies to Denise, his Mother and sister. Should there be anything we can do to lighten your burden during this horrible time, please call. Goodnight, Lester. We will miss your presence, your counsel, your smile and your countenance, but neither my kids nor I will ever forget you.

Two other local blogs mentioned him.

Chatham Avalon Park Community Council mentions funeral arrangments although by the time I posted this his funeral service will have passed. That in addition to condolences to his family and friends.

And the 6th Ward Jr. Democrats blog posted this very message from Ald. Lyle to mark his passing.

Pic is from the Aldermanic newsletter.