Thelma Ray Lowe Chester

September 23, 1924—May 21, 2023

On May 21, 2023, the Lord's angel choir came down to take his beloved Thelma Ray Lowe Chester home to sing with Him in heaven forevermore. Born September 23, 1924 to Eva Lois Austin and Charles Frederick Lowe, she was one of seven children who grew to be a beautiful Christian daughter, wife and mother. As a teenager, she met the love of her life, Clyde Alvin Chester, while pitching in sandlot softball games on Jacksonville’s westside. His parents were Bertha Clayton and Walter Chester. Married for over 70 years they shared a beautiful life with their three sons, Fred (Julianne), Jim (Susan), and David (Carol) Chester. She dearly loved all of her many grandchildren and great grandchildren and they in return all deeply loved her.

On a scale of 1 to 10 as a fabulous cook, she was a 12! She loved singing for the Lord in quartets and trios at her church and continued singing almost every day until God took her home. She outlived Alvin by over eight years, to reach the fine strong age of 98. A true strong willed fighter of a woman, she struggled for over 20 years with essential tremors while continuing to be a blessing to those who knew and loved her. She will long continue to be an example of LOVE to all of her family and friends, and will be forever missed but fondly remembered as one of God’s own.

The family wishes to thank all the beautiful loving friends, volunteers, and staff who cared for and about her at Penney Retirement Community. Contributions in her honor may be mailed to Admin: Penney Retirement Community, P. O. Box 555, Penney Farms, FL 32079.

I am the Resurrection and I am the Life, says the Lord. Whoever has faith in Me shall have Life, even though they die. And everyone who has life, and has committed themselves to Me in faith, shall not die forever.

For none of us has life in themselves, and none becomes their own master when they die. For if we have life, we are alive in the Lord, and if we die, we die in the Lord. So, then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s possession.

Happy from now on are those who die in the Lord! So it is, says the Spirit, for they rest from their labors.

“You are dust, and to dust you shall return.” All of us go down to the dust; yet even at the grave we make our song: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

A Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, May 27, 2023 at 11am at Riverside Memorial Park, 7242 Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32205. The visitation will be held on Saturday, May 27, 2023 at 10am at Hardage-Giddens Riverside Memorial Park Funeral Home, 7242 Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32205. Burial will follow the graveside service.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hgriversidefuneralhome.com for the Chester family.