Ben Thomas Chipley's Obituary
Ben Thomas Chipley, age 90, stepped into heaven on January 10, 2022. He was born on January 29, 1931 in Carthage, Mississippi to Robert Newton Chipley and Cloma Grace Parker Chipley. He was married to Mary Nell King Chipley for 70 years and is survived by two sons, Kenneth Chipley (Pamela) and Quinn Chipley (Leo), a daughter, Janice Chipley LaGrone (Mark), three granddaughters, Cheryl Chipley, Cathryn Chipley, and Bethany LaGrone, and a sister, Shirley Chipley Williams (Marion). He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Robert Merlin Chipley, Sr., and his beloved wife.
Ben was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He and Mary Nell eloped on the night of her senior banquet. They then moved to Memphis, TN where they raised three children together. He graduated from Memphis State (University of Memphis) where he obtained his Bachelor of Science in chemistry and physics. During his career, he served as Head of Engineering for Memphis City Schools as well as Director of Engineering for Memphis Area Baptist Hospitals. He was also a strong Christian and an active member of Eudora Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. Ben was a kind, patient, and intelligent man. He loved hunting, fishing, boating, stock market investing, and spending time with his family. His fried catfish was legendary and his favorite place in the world was his cabin on the lake near Camden, TN.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be sent to The American Heart Association.
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