Clinton

Ret. Master Sergeant Lester Andrew Souza, USMC, of 302 Dixie Circle, passed away at Sampson Regional Medical Center on Friday, October 7, 2016.

Funeral Services will be held at Red Hill Universalist Church, 7031 Taylors Bridge Hwy, Clinton on Friday, October 14, 2016 at 2:00 pm with Rev. Chuck Yancey officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery with full Military Honors.

Born in 1934 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, MSGT Souza was the son of the late Lester Anthony and Elsie Morrison Souza. He was proud to be a United States Marine, having served in Vietnam war and Korean Conflict where he received the Bronze Star with Valor and a Purple Heart. He was a former Detective with the Clinton Police Department and retired from the Sampson County Sheriff's Department as the Jail Administrator. 

He is survived by six daughters: Leslie Aquirre of Gilbert, Arizona; Denise Souza of Atkinson; Kellie Souza and Whitney Souza both of Richmond, Virginia; Cynthia Souza of Carolina Beach; and Ashley Souza of Providence Forge, Virginia; one son, Mark Souza of Spokane, Washington; one brother, Robert Souza; four sisters: Marilyn Saul, Marsha Heckman, Janice Moore and Paula Baker; twenty-one grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Jean Ann Sherman Souza and a daughter, Roxanne Pross.

Visitation for family and friends will be held Friday from 11am-1pm at Royal-Hall Funeral Home in Clinton.