Rosedell Chester Sr

Rosedell Chester, Sr., was born on December 1, 1924, to the parents of Willie Chester, Sr., and Ida Mae Dean. Rosedell was the eldest in a clan of a dozen siblings, He learned many life skills from his parents. Basically, the “Rules of Life” that would carry him through almost a century of changing and challenging times from traveling by horse and carriage to riding in high-powered Cadillacs and from calling with a distant yell to dialing by rotary telephones to wi-fi cellular phones. The strong union of his parents was the foundation of Rosedell’s character. He was resourceful as a truck driver, mechanic, and machinist. There was no job or work that he could not do; he was “Mr. Fix-It.” To some, he was a hero because he came to their rescue with guns blazing (literally), that’s maybe how he became to be known as “Two-Gun Pete.” When he showed up, it was a relief. Lastly, he was religious, he had a very strong conviction and personal relationship with God. He felt that he knew God and God knew him. That very strong conviction led him to serve in the United States Navy during World War II. After completing his tour of duty and receiving an honorable discharge, he migrated to Chicago as a rhinestone cowboy with the appetite for Westerns, whiskey, weapons, and pretty women. The life of a Lone Ranger wasn’t easy, so Chicago was his frontier “Home on the Range” to start a family. He met and married Juanita Phinizy who preceded him in death. To this union was born a family of seven children, Lenora Chester, Ida Chester, Rosedell Chester, Jr., Verdell Chester, the late Vershell Vaughn, and Juan and Lashion Chester. Rosedell worked hard to support his family. He retired from Empire Wood Carving Company after over 25 years of employment. During the years after retirement, Rosedell became a pillar in the community, and he was affectionately known as “Big Daddy,” the man with the big gun. He was the protector and maintained a watchful eye on the women and children in the area. He was the big hands that could fix things and restore old bikes for the kids, and he was a mechanic who did not charge for his services. He loved talking to and learning from young people. He gave advice and shared his knowledge to help them understand that “Life is not easy, but you have to make an effort to make it better, and everyone in life deserves a second chance to do and get better.” On April 28, 2023, Rosedell saddled up and rode into the sunset on a joyous trail to the Lord. Waiting to greet him are his wife, Juanita; sisters, Savannah Sprawls and Mattie; brothers, Willie Jr., Eddie, and Joe Nathan; and sidekick, Mack Miller. He leaves behind a strong family to celebrate a century of life thanksgiving his five siblings, brother, Jesse Chester (Lillian); sisters, Loutisha Dickson, Regina Williamson, Catherine Dockery, and Etherine Sanders; five children, Lenora, Rosedell Jr. (Cornelius), Ida, Juan, and Lashion; 38 grandchildren, (Lenora) Katie, Deon, Demetruis, Lashionda, Quida (Ida), Sharen Chester, Karen Chester (Verdell), Verdell Jr., Juanita, Desiree, Aaron (Rosedell), Kathelina (Shirron), Davanetta (Terry), Rokisha, Rosedell Bowman, Rosedell Chester III, Jill, Sharonda, Ivy, Precious Cole, Isiah, Tony, Kendall, Chandera, Timothy (Lashion), Brian Lewis, Lashion Reed (Ieshia); and a whole host of great and great-great-grandchildre

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