Mother Henrietta Chaffee

Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Mother Henrietta Chaffee

On Tuesday, October 28, 2025, Mother Henrietta Chaffee, a woman of "faith, family and love without boundaries" at the age of 88 years and 200 days, transitioned this life at The South Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She was surrounded by her loved ones.

Mother Chaffee was born on April 11, 1937, in Walnut Grove, Mississippi, to Henry and Agnes (Wilson) Talbert. In addition to praying and praising her Lord and Savior, Mother loved to garden, eat peanuts and shop online.

In Carthage, Mississippi, Mother Chaffee met the love of her life, Oscar Lee Chaffee, and they were joined in holy matrimony on August 12, 1955. As a family in the early 1960's, Gary, Indiana was their home and in 1977 they established South Haven, Michigan, as their home. Through the years the family also resided in the local communities of Bangor and Covert, Michigan.

Mother Chaffee was employed at Artistic Cleaners in Lake Station, Indiana, (formally known as East Gary, Indiana) for 20 years. Mother was also employed at Sleepy Hollow Resort, the S.E. Overton Factory and Jim & Toni's Dry Cleaners, South Haven, Michigan, where she was employed until her retirement.

Mother Henrietta Chaffee's spiritual life and development began as she was "saved" under the leadership of Elder M.C. Bennett of Open Door Church of God in Christ. There she served as Head of the Nursing Department and began her lifelong legacy of faithful service to the Lord Jesus Christ.

She served as the Pastor's Aide under the leadership of Elder Joseph Plair, Sr., at Congregational Church of God in Christ in Berlamount, Michigan; (where her living room also served as the sanctuary until God further blessed the church with their own).

Mother served as District Missionary for Elder Leroy Branch, Faith Church of God in Christ, Bangor, Michigan, and also for Bishop Joseph Nelson, Sr., of True Holiness Unto the Lord Church of God In Christ, Kalamazoo, Michigan. It was from this Ministry that the Ministry of Solid Foundation Church of God in Christ, Bangor, Michigan, was birthed. In the Majestic District, under the leadership of Superintendent Jeremiah Johnson at St. John's Church of God in Christ, Allegan, Michigan, Mother also served as District Missionary.

Her faithful work as Church Mother, Prayer Warrior and Intercessor continued under the leadership and supervision of Bishop Darryl K. and Lady Michelle Williams, at Lily of the Valley Church, Covert, Michigan. It was here, the true life legacy of "faith, family and love without boundaries" shinned brightly. until she heard and answered that final call from her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ saying…. "well done, you can come home now".

To cherish her legacy there is one son: George, Sr. (Gwen) Davis, DeSoto, Texas; four daughters: Gloria Braswell, Bangor, Michigan, Delores Chaffee, Covert, Michigan, Jeanette (Carnell) Whitiker, Bruce, Mississippi, and Mya (Emil) Chaffee-Henderson, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Ten grandchildren: George Jr, Greg, Gary, Teeya, LeAntar, Omar, Xavier, Antwan, Sheraton and Alexander; 17 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins (especially Mamie Cody) and friends too numerous to name.

She is also survived by three brothers; John Talbert of Lena, Mississippi, Douglas (Bessie) Talbert of Merriville, Indiana and Billie (Vivian) Talbert of Gary, Indiana; 2 sisters; Eva Jean Spivey-Lewis of Philadelphia, Mississippi and Dorothy (James) Barton of Walnut Grove, Mississippi.

Mother Chaffee was preceded in death by her husband Oscar Lee Chaffee of 70 years and her parents Henry and Agnes Talbert; brothers: Frank, Sam, George, and Henry, Jr. (Buddy) Talbert; sisters: Mary Willie Talbert, Delphine Robertson and Lucille Barton.

A Celebration of "faith, family and love without boundaries" will be held at 6:00P.M., Friday, November 7, 2025, at Lily of the Valley Church, 30600 M-140 Highway, Covert, Michigan 49043, where friends may visit with family starting at 5:00 P.M.

The entire family of Mother Henrietta Chaffee wishes to Thank each of YOU for all your love, prayers and support.

Those wishing to share a memory of Henrietta online may do so at www.starksfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel-Starks Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services. 269-637-0333.