Cecil Ralph Tester

Cecil Ralph Tester, 86, of Old Salisbury Road, died suddenly Sunday, March 16, 2014, at Wake Forest Baptist Health – Lexington Medical Center. A graveside service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 19, 2014, at Forest Hill Memorial Park with the Rev. Renee Easter officiating. There will be no formal visitation. Mr. Tester was born May 31, 1927, in Watauga County, to Artimus Alexander Tester and Mary Elizabeth Glenn Tester. He was a sales Clerk at Lanier Hardware prior to his retirement and was a member of Jersey Baptist Church. Mr. Tester served in the U.S. Army during World War II. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his loving wife, Alice Eggers Tester, who died in 1996; and son, Cecil Gary Tester.. Surviving are sons, Jeffrey Tester, Kevin Tester and wife Mitzi all of Lexington, Walter Tester of Salisbury, and Terry Tester of Boone; daughter, Ala Jo Tester Koonts of Lexington; 10 grandchildren, Shelley Koonts, Dale Tester, Terry Tester, Kristy Coppley, Andrew Tester, Audrey Tester, Richard Tester, Jeremy Tester, Sierra Tester, and Alicen Tester; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and his special friend, Mae Martin. Memorials may be made to the American Children’s Home, P.O. Box 1288, Lexington, NC 27293.