Jonell was born September 23,1937 in Bowling Green, Kentucky to parents Julian Blondville Caldwell and Ann Elizabeth (Cole) Caldwell. She grew up in Kentucky and Indiana where she met and married Earbee Mailon Chesney in Indianapolis, Indiana on June 23, 1953. They raised their three kids in Mississippi, California, Tennessee, Arizona, and Texas.
She worked for more than 30 years in Food Service industry in Nashville, Phoenix, San Antonio, Mesquite, and Greenville before retiring. She spent her last few years at Legend Healthcare & Rehabilitation in Greenville and Vintage Healthcare Center in Denton.
Jonell is survived by her sister Barbara Anne Ludeman (Brighton, Co) and her brother Julian Martin Caldwell and his wife Peggy Elaine Caldwell (Kansas City, Mo). She is also survived by her daughter Sherrell Diane Vanatta (Denton), son Gregory Steven Chesney (Greenville), and her daughter-in-law Tracy De’Ann Hughes and her husband Theo (Greenville).
Jonell loved and adored her grandkids and great-grandkids. She is additionally survived by three granddaughters and their spouses: Christina De’Ann Easterling and her husband James (Greenville); Sarah Lynne Rodriguez and her husband Jonathan (Denton); and April Diane Gillespie and her husband Justin (Denton). Additionally, she is survived by three grandsons and their spouses: David Michael Chesney and his wife Alex (Houston); Robert Anthony Chesney and his wife Meghan (Orlando, FL); and Christopher Lott Vanatta and his wife Gena (Denton).
Blessed with loving relationships to another generation of family, Jonell is also survived by ten great-granddaughters and great-grandsons: Hannah Rochelle Easterling, Caleb John Rodriguez, Haddassah Robin Easterling, Daniyah Christine Easterling, Daniel Isaiah Gillespie, Kylynn Grace Vanatta, Jaxon Henry Vanatta, Peter James Easterling, James Truett Easterling, and Adelynne Grace Rodriguez. She is also survived by many brothers-in-laws, sisters-in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and other extended family members and friends in Missouri, Colorado, Mississippi, Alabama, Arizona, Nebraska, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Texas.
She was preceded in death by her husband Earbee Mailon Chesney, her son Terry Allen Chesney, and her parents Julian Blondville Caldwell and Anne Elizabeth Caldwell.
Jonell loved being around family and enjoying the simple things in life. She professed her faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus and faithfully attended, served, and enjoyed the fellowship of various local churches. She loved family gatherings and treasured the time she spent with three generations of family just visiting while playing cards, boardgames, or attending grandkids and great-grandkids events and activities. She was beloved and will be greatly missed.
Given the current pandemic and by family decision with Grove Hill Funeral Home, there will be no public visitation or service. Jonell’s life will be celebrated by a private family observance at Grove Hill Memorial Park on Friday, November 20th and a future private family livestream gathering.
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