Johnny "Uncle Johnny" Lee Chappelle

-II Timothy 4:7-

Johnny Lee Chappelle was born September 10, 1957, in Tuskegee, Alabama. On Sunday morning, March 19, 2023, the Lord received Johnny into His loving presence!

Johnny was the youngest of five children born to John Henry Chappelle and Clara Payne Chappelle. Johnny accepted Jesus Christ, as Savior and Lord, at an early age, was baptized and united with Simmons Chapel in Tuskegee. He was faithful to God, his family and friends. He loved the Lord as demonstrated by his faithful witness of the gospel and his willing service to others. He was ordained as a Deacon at Vision Full Gospel Ministry and served in that capacity at Abundant Life Fellowship Church and Gateway Baptist Church, until his health began to decline. Although, not able to physically serve, Johnny faithfully attended Jesus City Church until April 2022 and continued to “watch” online until the Lord called Him home.

Johnny loved his family and was an avid lover of genealogy. Whenever he and Marilyn traveled, he would connect with family especially those whom he had never met. His desire was to meet more of the descendants of his great-grandparents, so he continued his search until he was no longer able to do so.

Johnny attended Tuskegee Institute High School and joined the United States Army in 1977. He served his country faithfully for six years. His military service included infantry, military police and Chaplain’s assistant. He suffered an injury while stationed at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, but continued to serve until his honorable discharge in 1983. After his military service, he spent 28 years in law enforcement as a State Trooper and Correctional Officer in South Carolina; Police Officer in Wetumpka, AL and Tuskegee, AL. His final position was with the Department of Veterans Affairs as a federal police officer, retiring in 2005.

On June 26, 2004, Johnny married his beloved wife Marilyn. He often quoted Proverb 18:22: “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.” Johnny’s prayer was “that God would send him a wife to help him serve Him.” By God’s grace, he found that in Marilyn. The Lord allowed them to serve as co-laborers for Christ for almost 20 years.

Preceding him in death: his daughter, Meisha Chappelle; parents, John Henry Chappelle and Clara Chappelle Arnold; grandparents, Ludie and Fannie Payne; Seaborne and Amanda Chappelle; sisters, Fannie Chappelle and Geneva Pollock; brother, Seaborne Charles Chappelle; nephews, David Chappelle and Rodney Chappelle.

The memories of Johnny’s life will be cherished by his devoted wife of 19 years Marilyn Finney Chappelle; daughters, Mia C. Wilson, Jacksonville, FL and Jene’ C. (Adam) Moore, Fort Stewart, GA; sons, Christopher Ferguson, Lombard, IL and Jeremy Ferguson, Atlanta, GA; granddaughters, Deja Wilson, Katherine Ferguson, Alexandria Wilson and Ava Simon; grandsons Caleb Ferguson and Adam Moore, Jr; sisters, Luzetta “Pat” Thomas, Mary Bowen; brother, Richard (Francis) Arnold; nieces, Princess McCarter, Muntega Belton, Patricia Arnold, Alice (Sylvester) Nettles; nephews, Anthony (Katrina) Chappelle, Michael (Valerie) Chappelle, and Command Sergeant Major Charles (Colonda) Chappelle; sister-in-law, Cheryl F. Wyatt, and Andrea Finney; God-daughter, LaShawnda (Eddie) Simmons, “grand-niece” Jayla McCord; aunts Rosetta Wilson, Claudette Sturdivant and Eunice Payne. Deacon Wendell (Margaret) Ellis, who was like a brother. A devoted niece and God-sent caregiver, Elizabeth (Liz) Jones. And a host of other great-nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was Uncle Johnny to so many especially to the Finney Family who loved him dearly. Nieces and nephews, Karen (Sammy) Green; Angela (Greg) Waller; Michelle (Christopher) Wheaton; Cathy Upshaw and Courtney (Phillip) Porter; Mark (Karla) McKinney; David McKinney; Natorius (Audra) Ezell; Gerald McKinney; Joel (Monique) Frison; Kevin, Kenneth and Marcus Upshaw. And so many special friends who loved and prayed for Johnny and Marilyn during Johnny’s illness.

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