Annie Lois Chestnut

Annie Lois Chestnut, 84, of Philadelphia, MS passed on Thursday, September 24, 2021 from Singing River Hospital in Gulfport, Mississippi. Funeral Services will be held 12:00 P.M. Saturday October 2, 2021 from Jerusalem Temple Church in Philadelphia, Mississippi. Burial will take place in the W.C. Calloway Memorial Cemetery in Philadelphia, Mississippi. Visitation will be held 11:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. Saturday, October 2, 2021 from Jerusalem Temple Church . Beck Funeral Home of Philadelphia is in charge of all arrangements.

Annie Lois Calloway Chestnut was born on February 28, 1937 in Philadelphia, Mississippi, the 5th child of eleven children born to the late William Henry and Maggie (Roberts) Calloway. Six siblings preceded her in death; Vester (Gettis) Lee Calloway, Robert Calloway, Betty Whitaker, Willie Calloway, and two unnamed angels. Annie Lois attended Longdale Schools for most of her education. At the age of 17 she married Lester Peden, Sr. and moved to Dekalb, Mississippi where she graduated from Little Rock High School in 1955. To this union two children were born Lester Peden, Jr. and Christopher Peden. Shortly after graduation she relocated to Chicago, Illinois. Annie worked at Lee’s Industries making office chairs and seat covers for many years. This was the start of her future career as an entrepreneur. While living in Chicago Annie met the love of her life Charles Earl Chestnut. They were married over 40 years before his passing in 2016. To this union one child was born Charles Tremayne Chestnut. After the passing of her father they decided to move back from Chicago to Philadelphia to live in her family home. After a short time working at a local factory she decided to step out on faith and open her own business. She said she didn’t really know how to do upholstery but she started telling people she did so that is how Ann’s Upholstery was birthed. The original shop burned down but that didn’t stop her from pursuing her dreams. She rebuilt bigger and better and has done work all across Mississippi, parts of Alabama, and Louisiana for the last 41 years. Annie was raised in a Christian home and accepted Christ at an early age at Poplar Springs M.B. Church. After moving to Chicago she began attending Stone Temple Baptist Church. Coming from a strong Christian background she instilled the same in her two oldest children at Stone Temple which is where they were baptized and served as junior ushers. After returning back home to Philadelphia she became an active member of Poplar Springs again. She also continued to instill Christian values into her youngest son and granddaughter at Poplar Springs. She helped on the kitchen committee, sang in the choir, helped with the collection of dues, traveled with the church to other churches, and even participated in feeding the preacher which was a Sunday tradition many years ago. She was also a Senior Matron in the Heroines of Jericho for over 40 years. Annie was a giver, a caretaker, a servant, a hard worker, she was loving, dedicated to her family, she was feisty and very outspoken she didn’t bite her tongue. She was an amazing cook and no one went hungry in her presence. She was a master seamstress who took pride in everything she made. She also loved farming and animals. Her favorite thing was taking care of her chickens and collecting her eggs. Annie departed this life on September 23, 2021 at Singing River Hospital in Gulfport, Mississippi where she lived her bonus year with her granddaughter and her family.

She leaves to Cherish her memories three sons Lester (Yolanda) Peden, Jr. of Petersburg, Illinois; Christopher (Ida) Peden of Merrillville, Indiana; and Tremayne (Jen) Chestnut of Colorado Springs, Colorado. A (Grand)Daughter who she raised Irene (Gregg) Magee of Gulfport, Mississippi; two step daughters Candance Chestnut of Chicago, Illinois and Lisa Thompson of Dallas, Texas. 13 grandchildren Irene, Jessica, Marcus, Eileen, Jahmelah, Christine, Dominque, Charlotte, Mecca, Grace, Sabene, Shaquanna, and Elbert. 12 great grandchildren Ieshia, Gregg Jr., Charity, Theresa, Nathaniel, Alexis, Edward Jr., Marcus Jr., Sun’ra, Miracle, Marceline, and Destiny. Two sisters Bobbie Calloway of Philadelphia, Mississippi and Pauline Walden of Detroit, Michigan. Two brothers Therman Calloway of Las Vegas, Nevada; Everitt (Evelyn) Calloway of Philadelphia, Mississippi. One brother in-law Luther (Flora) Chestnut in Belize, Central America. Two uncles Harold and Wayne Calloway and one aunt Janice McIntosh. A special caretaker during her bonus year Ms. Iola Gail Hall. As well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.