Charles Elsbury Chappell

Charles Elsbury Chappell, 79, passed away on November 2, 2025, in Rockville, MD.

Charles was born in Suffolk, VA on October 16, 1946, to the late Charlie Gilbert Chappell and Lois Jeanette Allen Chappell Meads. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 18 years, Mary Magdalene Johnson Chappell, and his devoted brother, Woodard Glenn Chappell.

He is survived by his two daughters, Rebecca Worth Chmelik (Tony) of Ijamsville, MD, and Amy Suellen Flora (Larry) of Norfolk, VA; and a son, Charles Douglas Chappell of Frederick, MD. He delighted in his daily life surrounded by his sixteen grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Parthenia Chappell Lane (George) of Lexington, SC.

Charles pastored many churches in his early years, being a proud member of the Evangelical Association. He also traveled holding revivals up and down the East Coast before fulfilling his dream of attending East Coast Bible College, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies.

He received his Master’s Degree from Regent University’s School of Divinity. He continued pastoring while also working as a Chaplain in hospitals, hospice, and nursing homes until he retired in 2021. He then moved to Maryland to be near his grandchildren and held one more part-time pastorate at Trinity UCC until December 2023. 

Services will be held at Happy Home (Pentecostal Holiness) Church on Friday, December 12, 2025, at 11 am, where Charles grew up as a preacher’s kid. Officiating the service will be Pastor Walter Byrum of Happy Home in Tyner, NC, and Pastor William Johnson of Walnut Grove Baptist Church in Zuni, VA.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Happy Home PH Church by texting HHCGIVE to 888-364-4483, and it will send you a link to our online giving platform.

Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Home, 735 Virginia Road, Edenton, NC is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com