B. Carolyn Chastain

B. Carolyn Chastain, a resident of Buckner's Westminster Place in Longview, Texas, passed away at the age of 76 on Sunday, November 1, 2009. She was born February 17, 1933, in Corsicana, Texas to Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Ferguson. Mrs. Chastain was married July 10, 1953, to Dr. O. Jack Chastain, Jr.

After two years at Mary Hardin Baylor, she transferred to North Texas State and finished her degree in Education, majoring in English/Literature and History/Government at Louisiana Tech in Ruston, Louisiana. Mrs. Chastain had a teaching career that spanned 22 years at Edinburgh High School, Edinburgh, Texas, Mary Carroll High School in Corpus Christi, Texas and Angleton High School in Angleton, Texas.

She committed her life to ministry and service as the wife of a minister, serving alongside her husband at First Baptist Church, Ruston, Louisiana; Emmanuel Baptist Church, Alexandria, Louisiana; Ingleside Baptist Church, Shreveport, Louisiana; First Baptist Church, Krum, Texas; First Baptist Church, Edinburg, Texas; and Morgan Avenue Baptist Church, Corpus Christi, Texas; and she supported her husband's ministry in the Gulf Coast Baptist Association in Angleton, Texas. She has served in various churches as a Sunday School Teacher and Department Superintendent, Vacation Bible School Director and WMU Director for 25 years. She was a longtime volunteer with the Angleton/Danbury Hospital Volunteer's Association, the Retired Teacher's Association, and she assisted with children at Noah's Ark at First Baptist Church, Angleton, Texas.

Mrs. Chastain is survived by her husband of 56 years, Dr. Oscar Jack Chastain Jr.; her son, Dr. O. Jack "Jay" Chastain III of Longview, Texas, Jay's wife Paige, Carolyn's daughter Katherine "Kay" Louise Thiele of Nashville, Tennessee, Kay's husband, Roger, one granddaughter, Ashlyn Paige Chastain, four grandsons, Bryan Jared Chastain and his wife Lisa, Evan Heath Chastain, Jonathan Stuart Thiele and James David Thiele, one brother, William "Bill" H. Ferguson and Bill's wife Susan of Clifton, Texas, one sister-in-law, Mrs. Joe "Louise" Bledsoe of Silsbee, Texas and numerous other dear relatives and friends.

For those wishing to express personal condolences, family members will be available at Welch Funeral Home, 4619 Judson Road (two miles north of Loop 281), Longview, Texas from 6-8 p.m., today, November 3, 2009.

Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church, 209 E. South Street, Longview, Texas on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at 10 a.m. directed by Dr. Tim Watson, Pastor, and assisted by Dr. Kenneth Hall, CEO of Buckner International in Dallas, Texas, and Dr. John Hatch, Director of Gregg Baptist Association, Longview, Texas. Burial will be at Rosewood Cemetery following the services. This will be followed by a brief burial service at Rosewood Park, FM 1844-Seven Pines Road, Longview, Texas, directed by Dr. Tim Watson.

A special memorial service will be held Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church, 237 E. Locust Street, in Angleton, Texas directed by Dr. Rodney Bowman and assisted by the Rev. Gary Thornton, pastor of Second Baptist Church in Lake Jackson, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family recommends gifts to either the Chastain Ministerial Scholarship Fund at Baylor University (gifts may be directed through your local churches or may be forwarded directly to Baylor University, Endowment Office, One Bear Place, Waco, Texas 76798) or any other memorial of your choice.

Carolyn demonstrated an unselfish servant's heart with a gentle and sweet spirit. Yet, she loved to play games, and some of her practical jokes are the basis of favorite family memories. The family thanks you all for your support and prayers during these days of both grieving and celebration of the life of Carolyn Chastain.

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