Obituary of Cheryl Sias Bassham Lester

Cheryl Sias Bassham Lester Of Davin, WV Cheryl Lee Sias Bassham Lester, 70, of Davin, went to her heavenly home on Saturday, February 4, 2017, leaving from the University of Kentucky Medical Center at Lexington, KY, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born August 3, 1946, at Accoville, a daughter of the late Samuel Ulysses Grant "Sug" and Lola Dempsey Sias. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one son, Paul Edward Bassham; one brother, Robert "Bobby" Sias; and one sister, Jean Harper. Cheryl was a 1964 graduate of Man High School and was a member of the Old Man High Alumni Association. After attending Marshall University for one year, she chose to become a full time wife and mother. In addition to raising three sons, her home also served as a community center with several dozen children constantly coming and going. Many of Cheryl's fondest memories centered around life-long friendships she developed while attending her sons' various athletic events. After her youngest son reached middle school age, Cheryl continued her education at Marshall, commuting from Davin to Huntington several times a week for several years. After earning her degree, she taught school for 26 years in Logan County, mostly at South Man Elementary, where she taught kindergarten for 14 years. After retiring in June of 2010, Cheryl returned to teach a second grade class which she had guided through kindergarten two years earlier. However, in October of 2010, Cheryl suffered a heart attack and was forced to retire from full time teaching. She continued to work occasionally as a substitute teacher at South Man and at Man High School, where she was reunited with many of her former kindergarten students. Cheryl was a member of Claypool United Methodist Church where she taught Children's Church and vacation Bible school for several years. She is survived by her husband, Larry Lester; two sons, Aaron Bassham of Louisville, KY and Jason (Barbi) Bassham of Starkeville, MS; two grandsons, Henry and Calvin Bassham; Paul Bassham, her former husband and father of her children, of Florence, SC; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews along with a host of students and friends. A memorial celebration will be held at Claypool United Methodist Church at Noon Saturday, February 11, 2017, with Rev. Bryan Baker officiating. All of her students, friends, and acquaintances are invited. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Cheryl Bassham Memorial Scholarship Fund at the First Community Bank, 100 Market Street, P. O. Box 220, Man, WV 25635 Online condolences may be sent to www.krantzmcneelyfuneralhome.com Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Krantz-McNeely Funeral Home at Man.