In Memory of Rev., Dr. Henry M. Chiles

Henry M. Chiles (1923-2008)

As reported in last night's prayer blog, my church's beloved pastor emeritus, Henry M. Chiles, passed away early on Thursday morning.

Here is Dr. Chiles' obituary as it appeared in the Knoxville News-Sentinel:

CHILES, REV., DR. HENRY M. - age 85, of Knoxville, died Thursday, November 20, 2008 at Asbury Place in Maryville. A native of the Corryton community, he was the son of late Rev. L.C. and Creola Shipe Chiles. He received his undergraduate degree and later an honorary doctorate from Carson-Newman College. His post graduate studies were completed at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kentucky. Rev. Chiles returned to Knoxville and in February 1951 began his ministry at Central Baptist Church of Bearden, where he remained until September 1972. He then served for ten years as Director of Missions for the Northern Plains Convention until his retirement in 1982. During his work in South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana he was proud to have been a part of the establishment of 30 new churches which he often said could not have happened without the support of his Knoxville church family. Throughout his career in Knoxville, he was recognized as Jaycee Young Man of the year in 1953, served as chairman of the board of Baptist Hospital and Harrison-Chilhowee School, and chairman of the trustees of Carson-Newman College. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, L.C. Chiles, Jr., Clarence Shipe Chiles, and Noah Hampton Chiles, MD. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Roberta (Bobbie) Clark Chiles; daughter & son-in-law, Ann and Lewis Ridley of Rockford; son & daughter-in-law, Lynn Clark and Jan Chiles of Rockford; grandchildren, Lanna Edgemon and husband, Gary, Lucinda Krueger and husband, Todd, Jamie Cordes and husband, Ben, Jenna Thomas and husband, Clay; great grandchildren, Ayden, Bryce, Miles, Kate, and Blake; as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Funeral service 7:00 P.M. Friday at Central Baptist Church of Bearden with Dr. Larry Fields, Rev. Mack Bingham, and Rev. Archie Fendley officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Family and friends will meet at the main entrance to Greenwood Cemetery Saturday for a 10:00 A.M. interment service. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Adult 7A Sunday School Class, Terry Ailor, Jay Claiborne, Paul Helton, Ted Johnson, Larry Lee, Carroll McGinnis, Mike Roberts, Don A. Taylor, Michael Taylor, Charles Towle, David Waldrupe, Bobby Walker, Max Conner, Paul Casteel and Frank Alexander. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Henry and Bobbie Chiles Mission Endowment, c/o Central Baptist Church of Bearden, 6400 Deane Hill Dr., Knoxville, TN 37919. Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel.