Lester Carter Hollingsworth

The life of this humble man of God began in Keyser, West Virginia, which he always considered “home.” Born on January 2, 1942, to the late Geraldine D. Hollingsworth and Lester L. Rolls, Lester’s moral character was shaped in the home of his grandparents, who required the family to attend the First Church of God in Christ. During his school years, he excelled in baseball and basketball, earning the nickname “Soldier Boy” for his admiration of his uncles’ military service. At 12, Lester moved to Philadelphia with his mother and her husband, Virgil D. Bruce, for better opportunities. His moral character continued to develop, and he joined the U.S. Army at 17. Reflecting on his service, he noted, “The Army made a man out of this boy!” He proudly continued his family’s military tradition and had an impressive record in basketball and baseball across Europe, Vietnam, and Africa before receiving an honorable discharge in 1962. Following in the footsteps of other family members, Lester joined the DC Metropolitan Police Department in 1969 after earning an associate degree in criminal justice. He served in various units, including the Casual Clothes Unit, Vice Squad, and Special Operations Division, where he protected the President of the United States and visiting foreign leaders. He received numerous commendations for his service, though he rarely mentioned them. Lester’s personal motto was “Family First.” He was a generous provider, delighted in interacting with children, and took a keen interest in their development, even establishing a campsite in West Virginia for juveniles. An avid gourmet cook, he enjoyed making novelty pancakes for his grandchildren and treasured family gatherings. He was known for his wise counsel and vibrant presence. For the past 15 years, Lester was a devoted member of Word Healing Outreach Ministries International (WHOM, I). He exemplified moral integrity, spiritual maturity, and compassion, consistently displaying the fruit of the Spirit in his interactions. His church family and all who knew him will sorely miss his goodness. Lester was preceded in death by his brother, Kevin L. Rolls, and sister, Karen B. Rolls. He is survived by his wife, Rita Clark Hollingsworth—the love of his life for 40 years; his daughter, Lesley A. Hollingsworth; his sister, Kimberly R. Rolls; sons: Michael Clark Fairfield, Ronald Clark, and Donald A. Clark; grandchildren: Eryka A. Hightower, Lauren Clark, Morgan Clark, Remi Barnes, Travis Clark, and Zachary Clark; great-grandchildren: Lilly Clark, Taylor Clark, Travis Clark, Jr., Leon Clark, Donte Clark, and Tlazoh Barnes; an aunt, Jeanette Hollingsworth; an uncle, Donald Hollingsworth (Felicia); many cousins; and a host of friends.