Jean Agnes Chester
Jean Agnes Orbell Chester, 101, of Salem, Virginia, passed away peacefully on July 15, 2022. Born December 25, 1920, in Clairton, Pennsylvania to the late Charles Albert and Agnes Pryde Gillis Orbell, she is also preceded in death by David F. Chester, her loving husband whom she married November 10, 1945, as well as her younger brothers, Charles A. Orbell and James Orbell.
She was a very young 101 years old and lived a wonderful life. Her life was a living example of her faith, as written in Ephesians 4:32, “And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” Most of all, she loved her family and instilled in them strong values.
Jean graduated from California State Teacher’s College in Pennsylvania and taught music classes to 5th and 6th graders. She held several other jobs through the years, which included serving as a secretary in the Department of Transportation and working with the National Park Service in Washington DC.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, David S. (Dianne) Chester of Fort Collins, Colorado, and Thomas F. (Martha) Chester of Salem, Virginia; grandchildren, Andrew Chester, Lydia (Stephen) Merritt, Ben (Lauren) Chester, and Kathleen (Minnis) Arnold; great-grandchildren, Stephen and Patrick Merritt, Audrey and Carter Chester. She is also survived by her sister, Janet Neilson.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, September 22, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. at Salem Presbyterian Church and will be officiated by Associate Pastor, Janet Chisom. A reception will immediately follow the service. Jean will be interred in Arlington National Cemetery, next to her late husband, at a later date.
The family would like to thank The Oaks at Richfield, Richfield Rehab and Wellness Center, the staff of Salem Presbyterian Church, Good Samaritan Hospice, Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services, as well as her many friends, for the kind and compassionate care that was given to Jean.
Donations in memory of Jean may be made to The Lampstand, P.O. Box 11411, Roanoke, VA 24022, or online at www.thelampstandva.org. The Lampstand, under the direction of Jean’s granddaughter, Kathleen, is a safe home that provides healing and comprehensive care for girls who have experienced sexual exploitation.
