George Rothelle Chancellor

George Rothelle Chancellor, born December 1, 1926 in Laurel, MS, passed away on February 23, 2017, in Laurel at his residence. He served in the United States Navy in World War II in the Pacific Theatre as a Frogman/UDT (Underwater Demolition Technician) on Seal Team 13. Following his Honorable Discharge from the U. S. Navy he returned home to Laurel and worked at Masonite Corporation for nearly 40 years before he retired as Maintenance Superintendent for the Laurel Plant. He was a Master Mason in good standing with the Grand Lodge of Mississippi, F. & A. M. Lodge Number 0525. He lived in the Powers Community his entire life and built the family home just a short distance from where he grew up as a child. He was an avid outdoor person who greatly enjoyed gardening and working on all sorts of equipment. His God given talent was his ability to take apart mechanical machines and repair them back to like new. He loved visiting with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as doing yardwork and house projects with his companion Betty Sanford. Watching his five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren grow up became his hobby and one he greatly enjoyed. His last minutes on earth were spent holding his newest great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his wife Lillie Joyce Chancellor; parents Roy and Mattie Mae Chancellor; sister Voncille Morton; sister Lucille Snyder; and brother Freddie Chancellor. He was survived by his daughter, Lisa Bailey; son-in-law Thomas Bailey; grandson Matthew Bailey; grandson Blake Bailey; son, Lance Chancellor; daughter-in-law Danette Chancellor; granddaughter Kelsi Hodge and her husband William “Jabo” Hodge, III; granddaughter Daryn Chancellor; grandson Trevor Chancellor; great-grandson Kaeson Walters and great granddaughter Kinsleigh Hodge; sister, Rebecca Cottingham; his love and companion for many years Betty Sue Sanford of Hattiesburg, MS; and a host of extended family member and friends. A special thank you to his caretakers Jessica Welch, Theresa Michel, Shae Schrimpshire, Rosa Davis and Gayle Haynes for the outstanding care they provided over the last eighteen months. In addition, the family would like to recognize South Central Home Health and Hospice and Dr. Jack Evans for the compassionate medical care they provided. Visitation will be at Memory Chapel Funeral Home in Laurel on Saturday, February 25th from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with the service on Sunday, February 26th at 2:00 p.m. Greg Chancellor will preside over the funeral service with burial following at Memorial Gardens on Hwy. 184 East in the Powers Community. Pallbearers will be Matthew Bailey, Trevor Chancellor, William “Jabo” Hodge, Mike Chancellor, Greg Chancellor, Ronnie Cottingham and David Taylor. Honorary pallbearer will be Blake Bailey who is in the United States Marine Corps Boot Camp, Platoon 3012, at Paris Island, South Carolina. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Dying To Live Ministries at P. O. Box 1065, Laurel, MS 39441-1065. To sign the online guest book, visit www.memorychapellaurel.com.

George Rothelle Chancellor

December 1, 1926 - February 23, 2017