Chester Lee Radford

Chester Lee Radford, 79, loving husband to the late Virginia “Ginger” Powell Radford, entered into his eternal rest Tuesday afternoon, June 6, 2023. He will join his beloved in the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery after the graveside services to celebrate his life that will be held at 3:00PM Saturday afternoon June 10, 2023 at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery with Chaplain Gregory Ely officiating.

A native of Jefferson County, he was one of six children born to the late Sarah Kathryn Brinkley and the late Walter Jackson Radford. Growing up in Thomson, Chester was a graduate of Thomson High School.  After graduating, he worked several odd jobs before acquiring his CDL and becoming a truck driver.  He drove for various companies, both long-haul and short-haul, for over 45 years before retiring.  Having accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior, Chester was a past member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, a member of Mt. Horeb Baptist Church and had more recently attended Believers Baptist.  Chester loved being outdoors and could be found cutting grass and “working”, otherwise known as “piddling”, at his place in Avera. Being very gregarious, he made his rounds to Peggy’s, McDonalds, the Huddle House and to Scott’s Place in Gibson where he met up with friends and had a “talk-fest”.  He was no stranger to anyone—he was always meeting new friends.  Chester was generous to a fault, and would help anyone at any time in any way he could.  Even though he was out-going, he was a “private” person at the same time, meaning that he did not share his business with others and was not one to share what he knew about others to anyone else.   You could count on hearing one of his many “stories” which were interesting and would make you laugh—he liked to laugh and cut-up and wanted to see a smile and hear a laugh from those around him.  Chester loved his family above all else and loved their get-togethers.  Even in the loss of his beloved wife and his sufferings, he never lost his faith and love for his Savior—he trusted the Lord’s plan for his life explicitly.  Chester is no longer suffering, has a new body and is experiencing true love, joy and peace in his eternal home in Heaven. 

Chester is also preceded in death by his sister, Vesta Kilgore. Those left to cherish his memories include his children, John A. Radford (Lori), Christopher L. Radford (Sue) and Melissa Ann Radford; grandchildren, Laura Radford Boyce, Will Radford, Michael McElveen, Ashley Wheeler and Michael Robiston; great grandchildren, Cody Bennett, Caleb Long, Riley Anderson, Tripp McElveen, Charlie Kate Boyce, and Kennedy Boyce; siblings, Jack Radford (Brenda), Alvin Radford (Darlene), Florence Shavers and Terry Radford (Etta); nieces, nephews, other extended family, church family and many friends.