Cora Lee (Lester) Sell
Graveside services for Cora Lee (Lester) Sell, 92, Springfield, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at Fore Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Cora Lee passed away on December 21, 2025, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri.
Cora Lee was born August 15, 1933, on the family farm in Fulton County, Arkansas to Roy Lester and Johnnie Pemberton Lester. She graduated from Bakersfield High School and moved to Springfield where she attended Draughan’s Business College. For many years she worked as a teller at Bell Savings & Loan where she made lifelong friendships. January 19, 1975, Cora Lee married Dwain Sell. They spent the next 43 years working, traveling, and enjoying life together. Dwain passed away in 2018, at which time she moved into the Montclair in Springfield, where she lived for the rest of her life. Although Cora never had children of her own, she was a stepmom to Dwain’s two children and a Mawmaw to his grandchildren. She was also a special aunt to her nieces and nephews as well as her great and great-great nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her.
Cora Lee will be remembered as a classy lady who dearly loved her family and made each on feel valued. Her special chocolate pie and yummy lemonade were the best. She was a very intelligent woman with a quick wit, southern drawl, and nicknames for lots of folks. Fond memories with her family include playing games, special adventures, and lots of laughter. Cora was generous and wise. She enjoyed life and maintained her independence until she passed away. She attended High Street Baptist Church for many years.
She is survived by nephews, Lee, Peter, John, and David; Nieces, Karen Lester, and Louisa Hudson; Great and great-great nieces and nephews; and special friends, Mildred Hayter, Jan Holt, Dennis Slane, and Brent Slane.
Cora Lee is preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers, Roy Jr., and Bill Lester, along with sisters-in-law, Pattye and Eva, and a special friend Catherine Slane.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Donna Miles and Brent Slane for all of their help to Cora Lee through the years. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, or Fore Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 W. Main St., West Plains, Missouri.
Gary and Cricket Sell
December 26, 2025 @ 10:17 am
So sorry to hear of Cora Lee’s passing. She was a major presence in our family’s lives. She was the only grandmother our daughters knew. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Lester family.
Amber(Cozort)Redburn
December 26, 2025 @ 11:46 am
To the Lester Families,
My Mother, Ivene(Brickey)Cozort extends her Deepest Sympathy to each of you on the passing of Cora. Her oldest brother, James(deceased) was the same age as Cora. May God provide comfort, strength, encouragement, and peace to each of you. She will be keeping all of you in her daily prayers and thoughts. May God bless each one of you.
In Christian Love,
Mrs. Ivene(Brickey)Cozort
Terena Lester
December 26, 2025 @ 8:10 pm
Cora Lee was a loving aunt to my husband, John. When he was younger, she and Dwain would take him to the Springfield fair. Later she became a special Great aunt to our children. Whenever they were down to Great Grannie’s, they would often play games, such as hide the thimble with them. We all loved her special lemonade. The last thing she said to me, just two days before she passed, was “love you too”.
Jeanie Latz
December 30, 2025 @ 1:40 pm
Cora added much to our family. She was the grandmother to our boys who loved staying on the “farm” when they were young. She was always welcoming and kind to all of us–and there is no doubt she was a devoted mate to our father–enriching his life.
We have fond memories.
Jeanie Latz & family