Rev. Jimmy Lee Chronister, 75, of Buttermilk Community North of Atkins, went to be with the Lord Tuesday, July 22, 2014, in Little Rock. He was born March 3, 1939, in Russellville, son of the late William and Syble Duvall Chronister. He was a Free Will Baptist Minister and retired farmer, and member of the Sweet Home Free Will Baptist Church.
Jim started preaching January 1, 1965. He preached in the Antioch Association for one year before he was ordained as a Free Will Baptist Minister. He and his wife, Mary, pastored several churches in Arkansas, including St. Joe-Atkins, Union Grove-Atkins, Woodlawn-Russellville, First Free Will Baptist-Glenwood, Slaty Crossing-Dardanelle, Center Valley-Russellville (now Baker’s Creek), Johnson-Scranton, Salem-Glenwood, Smith Springs-Morrilton, New Life-Morrilton, and finally Sweet Home Free Will Baptist Church of Atkins, where they have been since February 2004.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary Ann Chronister; son, Keith L. Chronister and wife Vickie; brother, J.D. Chronister and wife Elma Zell; sister, Evelyn and husband Dwayne Helton; grandchildren, Cody W. Chronister and wife Lindsey, Clay A. Chronister and wife Megan, and Clint G. Chronister and wife Kristen; and 2 great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Paige Chronister and Landree Harris.
Funeral services are 2:00 PM, Thursday, July 24, at Sweet Home Free Will Baptist Church with Rev. Tim Campbell and Rev. Freddie Goates officiating. Burial is in Walnut Grove Cemetery by Lemley Funeral Service of Atkins. Visitation is from 6:00-8:00 PM Wednesday at Lemley Chapel.
Pallbearers are Cody Chronister, Clay Chronister, Clint Chronister, Tim Whittenburg, Bill Pinion, Kenny Willcutt, Charles Martin and Steve Isom. Honorary pallbearers are Bob Hays, Bobby Higgins, Carl Rackley, Joe Garrison, Raymond Blackwell, Dalton Johnson, and all men of Sweet Home Free Will Baptist Church.
Memorials in his honor may be made to the Sweet Home Free Will Baptist Church, c/o Tina Isom, 161 Adoration Lane, Russellville, AR 72802.
Online obituary and condolences are available at www.lemleyfuneral.com.
To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Jimmy Lee Chronister hosted by Lemley Funeral Service.