Lester’s journey began in Elkin, North Carolina. Shortly after he was born, his family moved to the Chicago area where his father accepted a position with a major corporation. After fourteen years in the Chicago suburbs, his family returned to North Carolina for a fresh start.

At first Lester wondered if life in North Carolina might feel too quiet compared with Chicago. Instead he quickly fell in love with the beauty of the region and the warmth of the people. Beginning his sophomore year of high school in a brand new place could have been intimidating, but it turned into a life changing opportunity.

One of the most pivotal influences in Lester Holcomb’s young life came from his high school basketball coach. Like many teenagers adjusting to a new environment, Lester could easily have drifted into the distractions that surround high school life. But his coach saw something in him that Lester had not yet fully realized.

Rather than allowing him to fall into the habits of partying and wasting potential, the coach challenged Lester to focus his energy and talent on basketball and personal discipline.

The encouragement proved life changing. His coach not only believed in Lester’s athletic ability but instilled values that would stay with him for the rest of his life, including hard work, responsibility, accountability, and commitment.

Those lessons helped set Lester on a path that ultimately led to a basketball scholarship to Appalachian State University. Years later, Lester would pass along those same lessons to the young athletes he coached.

During those formative years Lester met the captain of the school’s cheerleading squad, Darlis Smith. The two married and built a life together, raising three daughters, Nicole, Brooke, and Leslie. Today Lester and Darlis are proud grandparents of seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

One of Brooke’s favorite memories came when Lester took her to Cameron Indoor Stadium for a Duke basketball game. In a moment she never forgot, she was able to meet her favorite player, Duke point guard Quin Snyder. The bond she and her dad shared over basketball is just one of the many ways Lester shows up for his family in meaningful ways.

On February 25, 1978, Lester experienced a life changing moment during a phone call with his older sister. She challenged him to invite Jesus Christ into his life. Lester surrendered his life to Christ that night, a decision that would shape his future in profound ways.

Coach, Mentor, and Leader

After graduating from Appalachian State University, Lester began teaching and coaching at Boonville Elementary School and later at Mount Airy High School, where he coached basketball and baseball for fifteen years.

Former player Robby Timmons remembers the transformation Lester brought to the program. When Coach Holcomb arrived, the team had struggled for years. His leadership, discipline, and example of faith changed the culture and helped the team rise from the bottom of the conference to a competitive program.

Lester later entered pastoral ministry where he traveled, sang, and shared his testimony in churches and national prayer conferences.

Friends Charles and Susan Soots describe him simply as faithful, an encourager, and a true servant of Jesus Christ. They say everyone who meets him leaves feeling valued and important.

Eventually Lester and Darlis returned to the Winston Salem area to be closer to their children and grandchildren. One day while walking his dog near Bermuda Village in Bermuda Run, Lester felt prompted to stop in and ask about opportunities to serve.

Today he considers his role serving residents there one of the most fulfilling chapters of his life, offering encouragement, leading services, and building meaningful relationships with the community.

For Lester Holcomb, Bermuda Village is more than a workplace. It is a community where faith, encouragement, and service continue to shape lives every day.