Jonny V. Lester

Jonny Velma McElyea Bilbrey Lester went to dance with the stars on November 27th. Thanksgiving was her favorite holiday - she undoubtedly memorialized it. She was born in Snyder, Texas to Joe and Tina McElyea on November 14, 1926. She grew up one of ten children in Texas and Arizona, embracing the love of a large family. She raised her own tribe of seven children with Coy M. Bilbrey. Living their younger years in Silverbell, Tucson, and Phoenix, Arizona and Stibnite, Idaho, Jonny and Coy raised their family with love and a constant sense of family. We grew up loving the outdoors; hunting, fishing and camping. Our mom was a renaissance woman - she could do anything. A talented seamstress, she designed and made clothes for her young children, could change a tire or fix a broken light socket. But what she will always be remembered for is her talent in the kitchen. Preparing a traditional holiday meal for fifty with ease, creating a Mexican fiesta or beautiful cakes and breads was in her wheelhouse, but her specialty was pie. It was not unusual for her to make 25 pies for a holiday gathering. Her favorite pastime was reading. She would read several books a week which led her to be a prolific wordsmith. She was personal “google” because she could spell any word and give you the definition. This explains her passion for Jeopardy. She was interested in everything and enjoyed traveling, especially when it involved weddings, graduations and events featuring her children and grandchildren. She loved a good party and was the life of every reception, usually being the last one on the dance floor. In 1973 she married Joe H. Lester - the love of her life. They spent their years together in Elko, Nevada and Evanston, Wyoming on Joe’s family ranch. Again, her kitchen was the center of activity where everyone stopped in the morning for coffee and breakfast before they went out for chores and came back at the end of the day for a highball and some gossip. She and Joe spent their summers building fence in the mountains of Wyoming, Utah and Nevada. She says it was her favorite time - being out in the mountains and cooking for the fence crew. After Joe’s passing, she returned to Bisbee, Arizona, one of her childhood homes. In fact, as a teenager she worked at the famous Copper Queen Hotel in Bisbee. She bought a great old home in Wood Canyon and spent almost 30 years loving the people and surroundings of Bisbee. Lots of family holidays, grandkids visiting for the summer and quiet weekend getaways were spent with Mom in the place she loved most.

The legacy Jonny created was evident in the past months when her life was filled with friends and family. She raised her seven children; Sue (Henry) Pellini, Connie (Paige) Bilbrey, Judy Lancing, David Bilbrey, Paul (Christy) Bilbrey, Bruce (Ellen) Bilbrey and Debbie (Greg) Smith and always opened her home to friends of her children and, later in life, her grandchildren. Her legacy includes 23 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren and 9 great great grandchildren. Although there were many, she sent a birthday card to every grandchild, every year right up to the last birthday on November 24th.

Our family is most grateful for the care mom received from Hospice of the Valley. Their compassion and guidance throughout this journey has been appreciated more than words can convey. And to our many friends who have sent cards and flowers, visited and called - thank you. Your love and contact meant the world to her and kept her going every day. Found in her wallet was this Irish toast: “May you have the hindsight to know where you’ve been, the foresight to know where you’re going and the insight to know when you’re going too far.” Mom, we will hold you in our hearts forever and hope you’re dancing the night away. We will celebrate Jonny’s life in Phoenix on January 17, 2015.

Arrangements under the direction of A.L. Moore-Grimshaw Bethany Chapel, Phoenix, AZ.