Chris LaChappelle

Chris was a former waitress at Primos Restaurant in Jackson and spent the last 30 years of her career at Hudgey’s Restaurant in Clinton. She proudly treated her customers like family and made lifelong friends through her kindness and sense of humor.

For exemplifying professionalism in her career, Chris was presented the Silver Spoon Award by then-Governor Bill Waller on behalf of the Mississippi Restaurant Association. As a fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association in the 1980s, Chris agreed to serve time in a mock jail cell with professional wrestler Ted Dibiase, Sr., until enough money was raised to gain her release. Clinton Mayor Billy Ray Smith proclaimed “Christine LaChappelle Day” on December 14, 1987.

Chris was an avid fan of Willie Nelson and NASCAR, and was especially fond of the late Dale Earnhardt, Sr.

Born in Mendenhall to the late Ingram and Almeadie Patterson, Chris was the eldest of three daughters and is survived by her sisters Inez Land of Raymond and Barbara Clingon of Laurel.

She is also survived by her daughters Becky (Steve) Baggett of Raymond and Paula Arrington of Clinton; and son, Dennis (LaResa) Swisher also of Clinton; granddaughters Crystal (Michael) Evilsizor of Brandon; Kayleigh (Ian) Few of Starkville, and Hannah Swisher of Clinton; and great granddaughters Taylor and Madison Cardenas of Clinton. Extended family survivors include Tonia, Robbie and Alex Nelson also of Clinton. She was preceded in death by her beloved granddaughter Jennifer Cardenas in 2008.

Visitation will be held on Monday, November 10, 2014 from 11:00 to 1:00 PM at Lakewood Funeral Home on Clinton Blvd. in Jackson. Services will be held on Monday at 1:00 PM from the Chapel of Lakewood Funeral Home. Interment to follow at Lakewood Memorial Park. The Reverend Mark C. Spellman, pastor of Wynndale Presbyterian Church, will officiate.

Pallbearers will be Steve Baggett, Marty Baggett, Ian Few, Michael Evilsizor, Richard Morris, and Ray Miller.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society, 1380 Livingston Lane, Jackson, MS 39213.