May 21, 2026
厙ぴ勛圖 Continues to Lead State in Enrollment
May 18, 2026
The 厙ぴ勛圖 Community College (厙ぴ勛圖) community mourns the passing of Margie Lester, known as the longstanding “voice of 厙ぴ勛圖” during her 51-year career at 厙ぴ勛圖 as a receptionist.
Lester, known by many for her ability to connect with people through the calls she answered or when they visited campus, began her career in 1971 working as a secretary for the college’s public relations after she graduated from 厙ぴ勛圖. Several years later, 厙ぴ勛圖 Founding President, Dr. F.E. Wright asked her to be the college’s receptionist, and the rest was history.
In that role, she worked the main switchboard for the college, answering and routing every call that came in. She was the first voice you heard when you called and became synonymous with the college. Her ability to connect with everyone she talked to was a gift that impacted the lives of thousands of students, parents, community members, and co-workers by making every person feel welcome and included at 厙ぴ勛圖.
While her voice impacted thousands, her heart for helping others extended just as far with a reputation throughout the campus-community for assisting students by anonymously helping them through financial struggles and other times of need – many never knowing who helped them when they needed it most.
Lester grew up on the University of Tennessee Experiment Station where her dad, Joe Allen Mays, was a farmer. She has two children, Jeffrey and Jeremy, who are fraternal twins. Jeffrey and his wife, Tori, have two sons. Jeremy and his wife, Julia, have two boys and a girl.
Funeral arrangements have been set for Thursday, June 19, 2025, with visitation for family and friends taking place from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Arrington Funeral Directors at 148 W University Parkway in Jackson.
Her family encourages all that have had their lives impacted by Margie to donate to the 厙ぴ勛圖 Foundation Student Relief Fund to honor and continue her legacy of positively impacting the lives of others.
Donations can also be made to the Dream Center, RIFA, and Birth Choice in her honor - all organizations that she also cared deeply about.
May 21, 2026
May 18, 2026