Chester Thrift

Nahunta – Chester Thrift,84, of Nahunta passed away Wednesday morning (February 5, 2025) at his residence in Deltona, FL after an extended illness. 

Chester Thrift was born on March 21, 1940 to Gladys and Robert Thrift in Nahunta Ga. He attended Brantley County Public Schools graduating in 1958. In 1960 he married Jimmie Celeste Murray. Together they raised 3 daughters, Rhonda, Pamela, and Donna Lynn. Chester began a career as an Iron worker. His occupation took him from Georgia to Detroit and then to the Kennedy Space Center in Brevard County Florida where he helped to construct the building known as the Vehicle Assembly Building. One of the largest buildings in its day. In 1970, he heard the call of his Savior, Jesus Christ, and attended Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri, graduating in 1973. Chester then moved his family to Owensboro KY, where he pastored the until 1976. 

Moving to Orlando he ministered at the Temple Baptist Church serving as the Co-Pastor with Jewel Smith until 1979. At that time, Chester felt the Lord’s call to start a church in Hopksinsville, KY, near Fort Campbell. He and his family moved and then began building the ministry later known as Hopkinsville Baptist Temple. From 1979 through 1986 he served as founding Pastor, raised a church building and lead many to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. 

In 1986, Chester felt the calling once again, and he began the Temple Baptist Church where he served as Pastor until his retirement in 2022. He is proceeded in death by his parents, his siblings (JR Thrift, Friel Thrift, Robert Thrift, Elaine Cosper), his loving spouse of 63 years, Jimmie, and his daughter Rhonda Hanson.

He is survived by siblings Roger Thrift, Pauline Broz,and Doline Walls; his children Pamela Copes and Donna Lynn Jones; 5 grand children; 5 great grandchildren; and also several nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service Tuesday morning (February 11, 2025) starting at 9am at Riverside Chapel Baptist Church.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday morning (February 11,2025) at 10am at Riverside Chapel Baptist Church with Rev. Bruce Turner and Rev. Tom Kennedy officiating. Burial will follow in Riverside Baptist Church Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Jeff Copes, D.J. Johns, Ken Jones, Hunter Johns, Jesse Westbrook and Caleb Jones.

Arrangements are with Frye Funeral Home, Nahunta.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online registry at www.fryefh.com.