Robert Lee Chester was born to Willie and Julia Chester on September 4, 1945 in Tampa, Florida. He was the sixth child of ten children. Robert attended Middleton High School, where he was a bass drummer in the marching band, and played on the football team as an offensive guard. Robert graduated from Middleton High School in 1964. His love of the Lord lead him to be an active member of St. Lukes AME Church for over 50 years.

He was a cheerful giver and participated wherever and whenever he was asked to serve. The Usher Board, Steward Board and Lay Organization are just a few of his areas of service. While serving the Lord, Robert met the love of his life, Ethel Mitchell. They were married on November 15,1987. Robert started his welding career with Florida Steel. He then joined Hendry Marine Industries, where he became one of a handful of African American certified underwater welders.

To mitigate vision damage, from his work, he retired after 25 years of dedicated service. He then went on to work for Hillsborough County School District and USF, retiring in 2013. Robert was a loving and devoted husband. As a couple, he and Ethel traveled together throughout the United States and the world. If you saw one you saw the other. He, solely, took great care of his wife during her illness for more than 5 years until she was united with the Lord in March of 2020. Robert was a man of few words. However, when he spoke it was clear that he meant what he said. He loved bowling and spent over 20 years with the Hitters and Missers Bowling League.

We will miss him dearly. His parents, Willie and Julia Chester, sister Betty Lynn and brothers Carl and Clarence Chester proceeded Robert in death. Robert leaves one daughter, Porcha and to cherish his memories his brothers, Willie Chester, and Earnest Chester, Sr. (Karen); sisters, Shirley Thomas, Dorothy Franklin, Delphine Motley (Jack) and Barbara Smith (Roderick); aunts, Gladys Chester and Charlotte Chester; nieces, Jamessa Clark (Howard), Gale Philson, Chevelle Lynn, Valerie Jenkins (Harold), Tammy Numan (Diaab), Stephanie Brown (Cory), Deborah Thomas and Machelle Lynn; nephews, Earnest Chester Jr., Reginald Chester (Deborah), Ezekiel Thomas Jr., Ferris Morgan (Lisa), Daryl Motley (Yvette), Allen Lynn (Clara), Carlton Chester, Kairi Coleman and Khalid Coleman; and a host of cousins, grand nieces, grand nephews and other family members and friends.

Memorial
Thursday, April 13, 2023
11:00 AM
St. Luke's AME Church
2709 North 25th Street
Tampa, FL 33605