Samuel Hall Chester Jr., born Samuel Hall Chester III, passed away on December 29, 2017, at the age of 90.
He was predeceased by his parents, Samuel Hall Chester, Sr. and Temperance Ransom Hudson Chester (Chattanooga), and by his sisters, Tempe Ransom Chester (California) and Elizabeth Chester Hofmeister (Florida).
Born in Chattanooga on December 16, 1927, he graduated from Normal Park Elementary School, the McCallie School, and Vanderbilt University, where he majored in Physics and was a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. He joined his father’s insurance firm in Chattanooga, earned his CPCU, and later headed the firm.
An engaged and energetic man, Sam was also a real estate agent, licensed contractor and developer. He was a past member of the Civitan Club and Insurors of Chattanooga. He was instrumental in forming the Town of Walden and was elected one of its first Aldermen, serving as police chief.
Above all, Sam was a devout man of Christ. He loved to study the Bible, sharing its message with others, and was instrumental in developing many Christian causes. Sam was a long-time chairman of the board of Precept Ministries and was involved in Inner City Ministries, Fellowship for Christian Athletes, Bethel Bible Village, and Campus Crusade for Christ. At death, he was the oldest living Elder Emeritus of First Presbyterian Church (Chattanooga). He was a past president of its Layman’s Club, helped lead Boy Scout Troop 2, found the land for Camp Vesper Point and helped develop it, sang in the Sanctuary Choir, led a delegation to Nairobi, Kenya, to officially charter a new Presbyterian church there, and was a great supporter of World Missions. In later years, he faithfully taught a weekly Bible study in Beersheba Springs, Tn.
Always adventurous, Sam led his family on many expeditions. They whitewater canoed, climbed Mt. LeConte, water and snow skied, camped in the Florida Keys, and traveled the world. They sailed at Privateer Yacht Club and played tennis at Manker Patten Tennis Center. Often accompanied by a dog, Sam also had horses and spent many happy hours roaming and four-wheeling around the woods of Signal Mountain and Beersheba Springs. He enjoyed being a private pilot and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved his family and especially delighted in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Sam is survived by his wife, Bettie Martin Thomas Chester (formerly of St. Louis); daughters, Susan Snow (Thomas), Signal Mountain; Caroline Chester (Nigel Lloyd), Nashville; and Betsy Chester, Signal Mountain; grandchildren, Samuel Chester Snow (Lisa), Signal Mountain, Andrew Wasson Snow, Signal Mountain, Elizabeth Snow Caldwell (Marc), Knoxville, Caroline Snow Coates (Brandon) Traveler’s Rest, South Carolina, Isabel Coral Guhde, Signal Mountain, George Spencer Lloyd, Nashville, and Rebecca Preston Guhde, Signal Mountain; and seven great-grandchildren.
Sam’s family greatly appreciated his kind caregivers at Alexian Valley Residence.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, at 2 p.m., at First Presbyterian Church, with visitation beginning at 1 p.m. Another memorial service will be held at Beersheba Springs, Tennessee, at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to First Presbyterian Church, 554 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, Tn., 37402, for Camp Vesper Point or World Missions.