Chester Dee Sewell, 86
December 17, 1939 – March 23, 2026
Chester Dee Sewell, 86, died Monday, March 23, 2026, at the North Mississippi Medical Center Hospice. He was born on December 17, 1939, in Pontotoc County, MS to the late Ivie Bernon Sewell and Ona Mae Mize Sewell.
It was a point of immense pride for Chester to be the namesake of his great uncle who lost his life in WWI. Chester was valedictorian of his high school class. He was a graduate of Mississippi State University and remained a loyal alumnus. Before his retirement, he worked as an engineer with ThyssenKrupp AG (formerly Dover Elevators) in Memphis, Tennessee. He retired in 2020 at the age of 80 after 47 years with the company. He participated in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mid-South organization of Memphis to help young people change their lives for the better. Chester was an avid golfer, having won many golf tournaments. He was a professional singer and musician and performed for many years as a member of the Mid-South Opry (later becoming the Mid-South Jamboree) in Memphis. He performed with several country music artists and had his own record. In later years he enjoyed singing and performing on the local channel 15, a low powered TV station in Pontotoc. Board games and card games were also a favorite pastime he enjoyed with his siblings and family. He was also a pilot and enjoyed flying.
Chester was a member of Victory Baptist Church where he recently made a public profession of faith and was baptized. He supported many causes, such as, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Samaritan’s Purse, Tunnels to Towers, and other ministries and organizations.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Imogene Stacy, and a brother, Jimmy Sewell. He is survived by two sisters, Betty Cayson of Pontotoc, and Deborah Waldrop (Robert) of Thaxton; two brothers, Harvey Sewell (Linda) of New Albany, and Joe Sewell of Pontotoc: seventeen nieces and nephews, Roger Stacy (Penny), Dale Stacy (Tracy), Mike Stacy (Angie), Jim Sewell (Carole Ann), Donna Long (Rex), Nicole Tindall (Benji), Joy Sewell Sneed (Clark), Marty Sewell, John Sewell (Kylie), Wendy Jones (Michael), Allen Cayson, Twana Cayson O’Callaghan, Julie Mapp (Rayburn), Jackie Cayson (Kim), Dana Tutor, Amanda Crowson (David), Misti Aburto (Luis); 39 great nieces and nephews, and 29 great great nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Friday, March 27, 2026, from 4:00 pm to time of service at 6:00 pm, at Victory Baptist Church with Rev. Philip Jackson and Rev. Roger Stacy officiating. Burial will be at Victory Baptist Church.
The family requests, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to Victory Baptist Church or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Pallbearers will be his nephews: Dale Stacy, Mike Stacy, Jim Sewell, John Sewell, Marty Sewell, Allen Cayson, and Jackie Cayson.
United Funeral Services of New Albany is in charge of the arrangements.
Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.
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