Chester Anderson Ingram

Chester Anderson Ingram, 88, of Sherwood, Ark., departed this life on Tuesday, March 3, 2015, surrounded by his loving family. Chester was born in Higden, Ark., on October 4, 1926, to James "Jim" Franklin and Beulah (Porter) Ingram. The family later moved to Lonoke County where Chester received his education at Humnoke High School then proudly served in the Army, arriving on the Philippine Islands the day WW II ended. On January 26, 1948, Chester married his high school sweetheart, Wilma Harris, and they enjoyed 67 wonderful years together. Their marriage was blessed with one daughter, Judy. Chester retired from the USPS after 32 years of serving as a rural mail carrier on Humnoke and England routes. He was known as the mailman you could set your clock by! He was especially proud of the "One Million Mile Safe Driver" award he received before his retirement. His greatest honor in life was to serve as an elder, at the Somers Avenue Church of Christ and previously at the Coy Church of Christ. Spending hours in study of the Bible, he shared God's Word for over 50 years in Bible classes, individual studies, as well as preaching part-time. Gifted with a wonderful voice, he had a great love of singing gospel songs. Serving as a song leader for many years, he led his last song service only 2 weeks prior to his heart by-pass surgery at the age of 85. Chester was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Floyd and Alton Ingram; sisters, Inez Anderson and Clara Howard; and a pre-maturely born son, Timothy Bruce Ingram. Cherishing his memory are his loving wife, Wilma Harris Ingram; his daughter, Judy Rye and her husband, Danny of Sherwood. Lovingly known as "Gangy," he will be greatly missed by grandsons, Chad Rye and his wife, Bayley of Sherwood, and Kyle Rye and his wife, Sara, of Pensacola, Fla.; great-grandchildren, Cole Anderson Rye, Micah Elizabeth Rye, and due this summer, Avery Leigh-Anne Rye; along with several nieces, nephews, dear friends, and his faithful little companion, Coco. Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 7, 2015 at Somers Avenue Church of Christ, 4801 Somers Avenue, North Little Rock with burial following at Rest Hills Memorial Park. Oran Burt and Kyle Rye will officiate. Active pallbearers are Jim Akins, Tim Ashberry, Joe Hurd, Mike Penrod, Danny Rye, and Jay Shock. Honorary pallbearers are Van Gibbins, F.H. Lyons, Sonny Derden, Benny Sain, Jon Nevins, Joe Ellis, Elwood Whitfield, Don Huckeba, Robert DeMoss, Dale Stock, and Ricky Trice. Visitation will be at Somers from 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 6, 2015 under the direction of Roller Owens Funeral Home (501-791-7400). Memorials may be made to the Somers Avenue Church of Christ, 4801 Somers Ave., North Little Rock, Ark. 72116 or Children's Homes, Inc., 5515 Walcott Rd, Paragould, Ark. 72450. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.