Mr. John A. Chesney, 83, passed on September 13, 2011.
He was born on December 16, 1927 in Portsmouth, VA. He was raised in and was a member of White Rock Baptist Church in Philadelphia. In 1954 he graduated from A & T College in Greensboro, NC with a BS degree, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force.
He married Margaret Cordelia Cleveland in 1955. He retired from military service in 1972 as a Lieutenant Colonel, from March AFB, and resided in Riverside, CA.
He furthered his education at Cal State University, San Bernardino and graduated with a Masters Degree in Education. He was employed with Cal State, as the Director of Upward Bound, and later employed with the Internal Revenue Service where he retired.
In 1992, he and his wife moved to their planned retirement location in the state of NC.
John volunteered at the Shepherds Center of Winston-Salem, and delivered food for the Meals on Wheels program.
John was a brother in the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, 32nd Degree Mason, and an avid bowler.
As a member of Providence Baptist Church, he served on the Trustee Board.
John was preceded in death by his parents, John H. & Mary E. Chesney, his only sibling, Mildred Adele Horton and her sons, Glenn D. Horton and Karl M. Horton.
John leaves to cherish fond memories his loving wife, Margaret; two children, Brian Richard (Sheila) and Denise Iolani Chamberlain Madison; grandchildren, Natasha Chamberlain; Danee' Chesney; Derrick Michael Chamberlain; Rihanna Chamberlain; Daion Chesney and Imari Madison; great grandchildren, Angela Thompson and Ieilani Chamberlain; his grand puppy, Pepper; and numerous relatives, friends and his church family.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm Thursday, September 22, 2011 at Providence Baptist Church, Kernersville, NC. Interment will follow at Eastlawn Gardens of Memory. The family visitation will be held from 12:30pm until 1:00pm on Thursday at the Church.