Rev. Lester Crayton

Asheville - Rev. Lester Green Crayton, 92, of 166 Merchant Street, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, November 20, 2014 at the John F. Keever, Jr. Solace Center. A native of Asheville and resident most of his life, he was a WWII U.S. Army veteran and recipient of the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart. He was a graduate of Mars Hill College, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Fruitland Bible Institute. He had resided in Newport News, VA from 1946 to 1950 and upon returning to Western NC (Madison County) he served as Pastor of Barnardsville, Enon and North Fork Baptist Churches. In 1960, he moved to Asheville where he served as Pastor of Gashes Creek Baptist Church for 27 years and following his retirement, he served as Associate Pastor of Grassy Branch Baptist Church. He was a current member of Reed Memorial Baptist Church. He was the son of the late Thomas Monroe Crayton and Margaret Green Crayton and was also preceded in death by his brother, Clyde Crayton and sister, Ruth Stone. Surviving are his wife of 72 years, Marietta Hollifield Crayton of the home; daughter, Penelope C. Penny Herron and husband Roger of Acworth, GA; grandchildren, Christina Summey and husband Dr. William Summey of Nashville, TN, Andrea Rene Herron of Sherman Oaks, CA and Elizabeth Hatchett and husband Sam of Cincinnati, OH; great grandsons, Jonathan Summey and Christopher Summey both of Nashville, TN; sisters, Ada Honeycutt and husband James and Ruby Bowman all of Asheville and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Monday, November 24, 2014 at Reed Memorial Baptist Church with Rev. Eric Hardman, Rev. Dr. Ronnie Owen and Rev. Randy Melton officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park with his nephew, Rev. Jim Crayton officiating. Military honors will be provided by the NC National Guard. The family will receive friends from 12:30 1:45 PM Monday at the church. Memorials may be made to: Ebenezer Gospel Mission to India, 3802 Trinity Court, Asheville, NC 28805, or Reed Memorial Baptist Church, 756 Fairview Rd, Asheville, NC 28803. Anders-Rice Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.