Jeanette Smith Chappell

Born on May 20, 1935, Jeanette lived a remarkable life marked by love, faith, and a deep commitment to family.

Jeanette was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Hiram Reese Chappell Jr., and her parents Florence H. Smith and Paul Smith, and her sister Evelyn S. Henry and brother-in-law, Robert E. Henry.

Jeanette is survived by her sister Louise M. Lauthain and brother-in-law Robert E. Lauthain, daughters Catherine Chappell Brower (husband William A. “Bill”) and Margaret Elizabeth Chappell Lingerfelt, and sons Hiram Reese Chappell III (wife Anna) and Joseph Charles Chappell, and cherished grandchildren, William Brent Lingerfelt (wife Ann Marie), Brittany Catherine Buescher (husband Arthur “Bill”) Joseph Bryan Lingerfelt, Justin Micheal Allen, William Allen Reese Brower, Staff Sgt. Hiram Reese Chappell IV, Carolyn Elizabeth Brower, Charla Michelle Chappell, and Julianne Francis Chappell. She also leaves behind a great-granddaughter, Ailie Elizabeth Lingerfelt.

A proud alum of Murphy High School in Atlanta, Georgia, Jeanette’s adult life’s journey took shape when she met Reese there. Life-long love took shape, and the couple married while Reese pursued his industrial engineering degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology and while Jeanette worked as an executive assistant supporting them throughout. As their years together unfolded and Reese’s career grew ever-more successful, their journey continued across several states, until they came back home to Georgia.

Inseparable for 66 years of marriage, Jeanette deeply loved her husband and the life they built together. Throughout, Reese and Jeanette shared a love of travel, journeying to numerous destinations locally and around the globe. During these years they met people that became fast friends, many life-long ones who they stayed in close contact with throughout.

A woman of unwavering faith, Jeanette found strength in her spiritual beliefs. She cherished moments with her family, eagerly looking forward to family gatherings and relishing special events and holiday celebrations. Affectionately known as “Mimi” by her children and grandchildren, Jeanette took immense pride in their accomplishments and embraced every opportunity to spend time with them.

Jeanette’s memory lives on through the love of her family, friends, and those whose lives she touched.

A celebration of her life will take place at 1pm on Saturday December 30, 2023, at Sandy Springs Chapel, with interment at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs to follow directly.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Humane Society of Forsyth County (www.forsythpets.org) reflecting Jeanette’s life-long love for animals.