Orpha S. Chesson

Published 7:58 pm Friday, November 14, 2014

ORPHA S. CHESSON

Oct. 14, 1919 – Nov. 13, 2014

Mrs. Orpha Smith Chesson, age 95, a former resident of the Big Swamp community, Washington, died Thursday, November 13, 2014 at Ridgewood Manor Nursing Home in Washington.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM Sunday, November 16, 2014 from the Chapel of Paul Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington, conducted by Eddie Bowen.   Burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery, Washington.

The following will serve as pallbearers:  Harry Swanson Ferguson III, Fernando Lee Ferguson, Henton Chesson, Harry Swanson Ferguson IV, Andrew Lee Ferguson, and William Faucett Ferguson.   Members of the Christian Women’s Sunday School Class and Circle # 4 will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Mrs. Chesson was born in Beaufort County on October 14, 1919.  She was the daughter of the late Millard F. Smith, Sr. and Lula Bell Boyd Smith.  Mrs. Chesson graduated from Washington High School.  She was a retired licensed practical nurse.

Mrs. Chesson was a member of the Old Ford Church of Christ, Christian Women’s Sunday School Class, Charter member of Circle #4, American Legion Auxiliary Unit #15 and the Old Ford Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary.

On October 19, 1940, she married Fernando Lee Chesson, who preceded her in death, September 6, 1989.

Mrs. Chesson is survived by her daughter, Linda Chesson Ferguson and husband, Harry “Butch” Ferguson, Jr.; sister, Margie Smith Cannon of Greenville; grandchildren, Harry Swanson Ferguson III and wife, Lynn C. Ferguson of Maple, NC, Fernando Lee Ferguson of Washington; great grandchildren, Harry Swanson Ferguson IV of Belmont, NC, Andrew Lee Ferguson and William Faucett Ferguson both of Washington; a close niece and nephew, Tracy Black and Henton Chesson and many special nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Mrs. Chesson was preceded in death by two brothers, Millard F. Smith, Jr. and J.C. Smith and two sisters, Catherine Smith Chesson and Eloise Smith Stokes.

Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to the Old Ford Church of Christ, 6040 U.S. Highway 17 North, Washington, N.C.  27889.

Mrs. Chesson’s family would like to thank the staff of Ridgewood Manor, Dr. David Lewis, and Asera Care Hospice for their compassion and care.

The family will receive friends 7:00 – 8:30 PM on Saturday at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington and other times at the home of her daughter, Linda Ferguson located at 401 River Road, Washington, NC.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com

Paul Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington is honored to serve the Chesson family.