Chester Lee Bean

Chester Lee Bean, age 95, passed from this life March 12, 2021 in Fort Smith. He was a Christian man and a member of Wesley United Methodist Church where he sang in the choir. Chester was born June 13, 1925, in Hartman, Arkansas, to H.E. and Harriet Moore Bean. Chester was born a member of the greatest generation. He proudly served others in the United States Navy during World War II, and afterwards as a member of the Naval Reserves. Later Chester joined the Fort Smith Police Department, walking the beat and retiring as Assistant Chief of Police.

Chester is survived by his wife Nita Helms Bean; his children, daughter Barbara Newman and her husband Larry Joe, son Jim Bean and his wife Sharon, son Billy Helms and his wife Donna and son Jack Helms and his wife Sharon; three sisters, Alice Styles, Ruby Freeman and Katie Cecil; his grandchildren, Brian Newman and his wife Janet, Julie Simpson and her husband Eric, Mark Bean and his wife Samuela, James Bean and his wife Melissa, Lacy Bean and her fiancé, Marcus Hedlund, Brett Helms, Audra Pogue and her husband Jimmy, Ginger Schmitt and her husband Greg and Kyrstal Cadelli and her husband Chris, as well as 18 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters Juanita Scott and Joyce Koontz, and the mother of his children and wife Betty June Porter Bean.

Pallbearers are Brian Newman, Mark Bean, James Bean, Brett Helms, Tyler Simpson, Patrick Simpson, Brandon Newman, Nick Cadelli and Jackson Schmitt.

Funeral services will be 2:00 pm Wednesday, March 17, 2021 in Edwards Funeral Home Chapel. Burial, with United States Navy Honors, will follow at Roselawn Cemetery. Visitation will be at 1:00 pm. and funeral service will begin at 2:00 pm on Wednesday. Arrangements are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

Memorial donations may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church, 2200 Phoenix, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901 or donations may be made to the charity of your choice.