Andrew "Jay" Chester

Andrew 'Jay' Chester passed away at home surrounded by his loving and devoted step-daughters, Angela and Nancy, along with four of his loving step-grandchildren, Briana, Barrett, Sam and Morgayne.



He retired from Chatham County as a heavy equipment operator and worked tirelessly to support his family. Jay loved unconditionally and was loved unconditionally as well. He played lead guitar in his prime at different venues in Savannah and loved to dance. Jay's love of country music extended to the greats like Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash, \" Not the junk played today\" he\'d say. He never met a dog he didn\'t like, and his love for animals was so genuine and kind. His beloved, loyal puggle, Buster, remained at his bedside until pop passed on Sunday morning. Dad was the most gentle, loving southern gentleman we\'ve ever known.



He was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 38 years, Edith Rought Chester, who was also the mother of Angela, with whom they lived their last years. Jay was also preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Ruth Chester; his siblings, Henry, Grady, Buddy, Betty and Mary, and his grandson, Zachary Hargroves.



Surviving are his four biological children, Andy (Kathy), Ronnie (Lori) and Lynn Smith, all of Savannah, and Wayne (Bonnie) of Columbia, S. C.; seven grandchildren, Matthew, Ashley, Sarah, Kate, Emily, Bridget and Jessica; four step-daughters, Angela Ortiz and her two children, Briana and Barrett, with whom he lived and who provided loving care in their home for the last three years of his life, Nancy Pynes, Linda Williams and Margaret Grayson; two step-sons, Mike and Joe; step-grandchildren, Briana and Barrett ,Melissa and Nicky, Fran and Bob Fischer, Karen and Trey, Scottie and Adam, Julie, Sam, Michael, Donnie and Ray, Christina and Brittney, and fourteen step-great-grandchildren.



We\'d like to express our deepest thanks to Dr Richard Barrett and his entire staff, Dr. Alan Meadows, Dr. Burgess and Dr. Boland, for the loving care, compassion and support you provided our dad and my family. We\'d also like to express our gratitude to Hospice Savannah.



We will think of you and miss you everyday pop\'s. We were so blessed to call you our dad, pop\'s and grandpa.



The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 o'clock Tuesday evening at Gamble Funeral Service ' 410 Stephenson Avenue.



The funeral service will be held at 11 o'clock Wednesday morning in the chapel of Gamble Funeral Service conducted by Chaplain Archie J. Seabrooks. Interment will be in the Greenwich section of Bonaventure Cemetery.