Obituaries

Chester Marvel South

Photo of Chester Marvel South
Chester Marvel South, age 86, of Springdale, Arkansas passed away on Monday, January 4, 2016. He was born on June 29, 1929 in Bristol, Tennessee to Charles and Daisy Rutherford South. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Jeri Dillard South. He is survived by two sons, Tony South (Pam) of Oak Ridge, Tennessee and Terry South (Sheri) of Little Rock, Arkansas; two daughters, Judy Pannanen Schaut (Steve) of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Joyce South Lasse (Clark) of Kampala, Uganda; 12 grandchildren; and eight great- grandchildren. Chester loved his family well and found great delight in his children, grandchildren and especially his great grandchildren. His 7th great- grandchild bears his name/his dad's name, Charlie Marvel Noetzel, of whom Chester was particularly proud. After graduating from Holston Valley High School, Bristol, Tennessee, Chester attended Berea College in Berea, Kentucky. Upon completion of two years of study, he was drafted to serve in the Korean War. He joined the U.S. Army as a 2nd lieutenant and served for the next ten years. Having achieved the rank of 1st lieutenant, he was honorably discharged and then employed by Equifax of Atlanta, Georgia. He retired from Equifax after 25 years and moved to Lake Placid, Florida where he volunteered at a Christian Camp, worked in a Children's Home and served in his local church as a deacon and pastor. Chester was a devoted father, husband, grandfather, church and community member and leader. He loved God, His Word, and His people. He joyfully and faithfully served Him until his last breath on January 4, 2016. Visitation will be at Beard's Funeral Chapel, Fayetteville, Arkansas, Thursday, January 7, 2016 at 10 a.m. with a funeral service following at 11 a.m. Interment will be at Fairview Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Fayetteville, Arkansas. Memorial contributions may be made to Mission Enablers International, P.O. Box 2127, Bentonville, Arkansas 72712, account # 3240. Funds will go to support 130 children at an orphanage in northern Uganda. Chester often referred to the children there as "his kids". He often wanted to make sure they knew that they had a grandpa in America who loved and cared for them. Condolences at www.beardsfuneralchapel.com.

Published January 6, 2016

Upcoming Events