Chester Vickers

OBITUARY

Chester Vickers was born on April 2, 1943 in Thomasville, Georgia to the Parents of Leola Vickers Smith and Chester Tripp. He was affectionately known by his family as “Chummy” due to his chubby stature as an infant. Even though he had several half siblings, he chose to live most of his life very independent of his Family.

As a youngster, it was decided for Chester to relocate to New York to live with his Father which made him overjoyed. Not long after moving to New York, his Father’s life was tragically taken away from him. After his Father’s death, his Stepmother - Virginia Tripp came to New York and brought him back to Thomasville, GA to reside with her.

Chester and Virginia had a beautiful Mother/Son relationship. She spoiled him with love, bicycles, etc. and when he was old enough to drive - she bought him a brand new convertible car.

As a teen, Chester attended Douglas High School in Thomasville, GA. It was known that he was a pretty popular student especially with his female classmates. He was very well liked and you would always find him driving around town with his best friends listening to Doo Wop Music Radio in his car. It was this time, that he developed his love for Doo Wop Music.

After graduating from High School, he would enlist and serve in the U.S. Navy as an Able Seaman. After 2 years of Service, he decided to return to New York for a better way of life. While “pounding the pavement” on the streets of New York looking for a job, he found himself in the Meat District and was hired on the spot as a Butcher. Little did he know that he would be in this profession for well over 40 years.

While living in New York, it was there that Chester met Ann Reeves (Mother) of his two children - his namesake, Chester Vickers Jr. (Son) and Jocelyn D. Vickers (Daughter). Ann had three (3) children Gilbert Parker, Jeffery Parker and Van Parker prior to meeting Chester and he welcomed them with open arms. They resided as a blended family in Brooklyn, NY for a number of years.

Many years later, he would make a couple more moves in New York before ultimately returning to his hometown, Thomasville, GA to take care of his ailing Stepmother - Virginia and for his Retirement. Unfortunately, prior to his Retirement and while in the middle of him renovating the family home - Virginia would pass away. After laying her to rest, he would still move forward with completely renovating the home and proceeding with his plans for Retirement there.

His Retirement years in Thomasville, GA was filled with finding enjoyment eating out and finding all the best places for good food - Bar-B-Q, Fried Fish, Fried Chicken, Southern Cooking, etc. He also had a sweet tooth. It was nothing for him to get up bright and early and go to Flowers Bakery Store or Nanee’s Donut Hole in town and grab him a couple of donuts.

One of his favorite things he always looked forward to was getting together with old classmates during the yearly Douglas High School Class Reunions. He loved watching nostalgia TV Shows like Westerns, Bonanza, Sanford & Son, Beverly Hillbillies, Andy Griffith just to name a few. He also maintained his love for listening to 50’s Doo Wop Music and selective songs by Elvis Presley.

Chester never met a stranger he didn’t like and was indeed a flirt even in his later years. It didn’t matter where he was - if someone looked familiar to him - you could count on him to conjure up a conversation. Most of the time during the same conversation, he would come to realize that the stranger was indeed a Cousin.

He also loved traveling back to New York with his Daughter, Jocelyn visiting family and friends. One of the main things on his agenda during the visits, was to go back to his previous employment where he worked as a Butcher. They loved seeing him and knew specifically which cuts of meat he would be taking back with him to Thomasville, GA. He always came prepared with multiple Freezer Coolers packed with dry ice full of Baby Turkey & Chicken Wings, Oxtails (tail end preferred) and specifically chosen variances of Grounded Meat.

In the five years prior to his passing, his Daughter, Jocelyn would play an integral part of his life in providing the necessities in the comfort of his everyday living. She would ultimately relocate Chester with her to Atlanta due to his failing health.

On Saturday, November 1, 2025 - Chester Vickers departed this life and entered another life of Eternal Peace. He was preceded in death by the following: Mother, Leola Vickers Smith of Thomasville, GA; Father, Chester Tripp of Thomasville, GA; Mother of his Children, Ann Reeves of Brooklyn, NY; Stepson, Van Parker of Brooklyn, NY; Sister, Lillie Ruth Moore of Hazleton & Brother, Radie Williams of Miami, FL.

The broken-hearted children he leaves behind to cherish his memory: Son, Chester “Pome” Vickers Jr. of Brooklyn, NY; Daughter, Jocelyn “Di” Vickers of Atlanta, GA; Stepson, Gilbert Parker of Brooklyn, NY and Stepson, Jeffery Parker of Cleveland, OH.

He also leaves to mourn his loss: Siblings: Brother, Ozell “Booster” Williams of Lake City, FL.; Sister, Eddie Mae Smith Burley of Bartow, FL; Sister, Evelyn Smith of Bartow, FL; Sister, Sylvia Wms Kirkland of Miami, FL; Brother, Andrew Williams of Miami, FL; Brother, VT Williams of Miami, FL & Brother, Ronald Williams of Conyers, GA.

In addition, he also leaves behind countless Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and close Friends to mourn his loss.

Chester was a no nonsense, private, very quiet, sometimes stoic and an independent man of very few words. He was a great Father and Provider, Caring Friend & Brother and will be eternally missed.

Job Well Done Daddy!

Written by Jocelyn “Di” Vickers (Daughter)