A. Benjamin Chidester

The Rev. A. Benjamin Chidester, Jr., 86, of Boones Mill, VA, joined his beloved Lord on 7-21-11. He was born Sept. 19, 1924 in Syracuse, NY. He is survived by his beloved wife of 10 years Dorothy (Dot) Simpson Chidester. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 49 years, Joan Bauer Chidester, his daughter, Susan C. Hill (William) and son D. Carl Simpson, parents Dr. Augustus B. Chidester, Sr., and Carol Bullock Chidester, brothers Stanley and David Chidester. He is also survived by a daughter Julia M. Caplick (Jacob), sons A. B. (Chip) Chidester III (Janet), Philip L. Chidester, Thomas B. Chidester and James B. Chidester (Trish). Also, surviving are grandchildren; Carol Roberts (Keith), Susan Wickham (Brian), A. Brian Chidester (Jana), Melanie E. Askey (Chris), Eric J. Chidester (Laura), Michelle Chidester, Michael C. Hill, Paul C. Hill, Alexander B. Chidester (Tiffany), Elizabeth Chidester, Victoria Butler, and Elizabeth Butler; Great- grandchildren; Hunter, Amanda, Evelyn, Alayna, Shawn, Cameron, and Alyssa; Brother-in-law Rev. James W. Reynolds, Jr., (Ruth); Sister Nancy Main, and numerous nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his beloved pets Frisky and Patches. Ben attended Lakemont Academy and the University of Buffalo. He followed the Lord’s call into ministry and received his Th. M from Wesley Theological Seminary in 1987. He pastored several churches in Buffalo, NY before moving to Roanoke, VA where he was the pastor of Rockingham Court UMC and Pastor Emeritus of Boones Mill UMC. He was an active member of the TMMC, Boones Mill Lions Club and a member of the Freemasons. In addition, he was a member of Rotary International with 47 years of perfect attendance, where he was a past President and a Paul Harris Fellow. Prior to his calling to serve the Lord, he served his country in the U. S. Navy and USMC including WWII in the Pacific Theater and the Korean War. Memorial contributions may be made to Boones Mill United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 288, Boones Mill, Virginia 24065 and/or to Good Samaritan Hospice, 2408 Electric Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24018. Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial service at Boones Mill United Methodist Church Saturday, July 23, 2011 at 4:00 PM with Rev. Robert Garner and Rev. James W. Reynolds officiating. He will be laid to rest in the Elm Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, NY. Arrangements by Conner-Bowman Funeral Home, Route 220 at Wirtz Road, Rocky Mount, Virginia, 540-334-5151, www.connerbowman.com