Biography: Mary Evelyn Markham (Lester), of Memphis, died Thursday, December 16, 2010. She was born in 1921 and raised in Little Rock by her late parents, E.V. and Lucille Markham. She graduated from Little Rock Senior High School and received her B.A. degree from Hendrix College in 1943. She married Edward Lester the following year and they resided in Little Rock for many years. In 1957 Mary Evelyn was a founding member of the famous Women's Emergency Committee that fought to preserve Little Rock's public school system in the wake of the Central High crisis of that year. She was also a member of the PEO, the Women's Society of St. Paul's Methodist Church and a past president of the Hall High School PTA. In addition, she was a life long bridge enthusiast, earning a Bronze Life Master of the American Bridge League. Married to Henry Ellis, she lived for several years in Memphis, where she was a member of the 19th Century Club and the Lindenwood Christian Church. Mary Evelyn was a gracious hostess, a world traveler and always inspired those around her with her positive attitude toward life. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Edward Lester and her brother, E.V. Markham, Jr., his wife Joan and her niece, Claire Collins. She is survived by her two sons and two daughters-in-law, Jim and Camie Lester of Denver, Colorado and Mark Lester and Jeanne Jackson of Homewood, Alabama. She is also survived by five grandsons: Ross Lester of Christiana, Tennessee, Mitchell Lester of San Francisco, California, James Lester of Little Rock, Ted Lester of Boston, Massachusetts, Jay Lester of Birmingham, Alabama, five great grandchildren, three nephews and her stepdaughter and dear friend, Vera Poag of Naples, Florida. A graveside service will be held at Roselawn Cemetery in Little Rock on Saturday, December 18, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Mary Evelyn Markham Lester Scholarship Fund at Hendrix College, 1600 Washington Avenue, Conway, Arkansas 72032. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.