Mildred Christine Lester Cregger

Mildred Christine Lester Cregger, 93, of Bluefield, WV, passed away peacefully at Princeton Community Hospital on April 14, 2015. She is finally with her beloved Lord. Mildred was born November 25, 1921 in Bluefield, WV to Joseph Walter and Bessie Helton Lester. Mildred attended the Wedding of the Bluefield’s when she was two years old, and attended the 90 year celebration of the Wedding of the Bluefield’s. She graduated from Beaver High School, where she was the tiniest trombone player in the band. Mildred was a member of First Baptist Church in her youth, and became a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church after her marriage to Walter in 1955. They moved to Virginia, where he was a Soil Scientist. He frequently brought students and professors from VPl's agronomy department home for one of Mildred's dinners. Mildred got to be a stay at home mom, until Walter became ill and they returned to Bluefield. Mildred returned to work when Walter died in 1963. She was a secretary at Beaver High School, Bluefield High School, and the Bluefield and Princeton Board of Education offices. She was known for her organization, her humor, her feisty resourcefulness, and her stories about Mercer County history, especially school history. She had a soft spot in her heart for children, and we still hear an occasional surprising story from someone she quietly helped through a hard time. She was a member of numerous business clubs, and past president of The Pink Dogwood Garden Club. She had many adventures driving the car pool to meetings of the Mercer County Retired School Employees Association. She voted every year, and worked at the polls for many years. She belonged to Circle 2 at church, and helped lead an exercise class for retirees for several years. She enjoyed helping Elise with Soldiers' Angels projects. She swung her cane and ate dessert first because; she said she needed to “stay alive as long as she lived." She stayed young with traveling and playing with the great grandchildren. Mildred loved the Lord, family, music West Virginia, and "VPI". She enjoyed her porch swing, her butterfly jewelry, flowers, and flying her American flag. She read her Bible daily. Her church members were like family, and she loved, them dearly. Mildred received kind and compassionate care during the past three months at Bluefield Family Medicine, BRMC, PCH, Westwood, and Glenwood Retirement Village and from caregivers, Becky and Iris. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by: Husband, Walter H. Cregger and sister, Betty Patteson Survived by her loving daughters: Cathy Diane Saddler and Husband, Buford Nancy Ruth Bogle and her husband, Mac Grandchildren: David Walter Bogle and fiance, Angie Ferguson Elise Suzanne Saddler Bowling and her husband, Jason H. Brandon Kirk Saddler and wife, Crystal Lauren Nicole Bogle Martin and her husband, Aaron Great grandchildren: Gracie Bogle, Peyton Bogle, Brianna Ferguson and Kaleb Ferguson Sister: Leola Davis Lester Dawson of Kingsport, TN Special cousins, nieces and nephews and their families, who knew her as Aunt Mickey and Ms. Mildred. Best friend: Berneze Lester Protective Neighbor: Frank Lambert Funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bluefield, WV with Rev. Tom Conley officiating the service. Burial will follow at Lebanon Lutheran Church Cemetery Rt. 11 Wytheville, VA where friends and family will be serving as pallbearers. The family will receive friends and relatives two hours before the servce at the church on Saturday, April 18, 2015. Flowers are appreciated. Contributions can be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church P.O. Box 888 103 Duhring St. Bluefield, WV 24701 are encouraged.