05/23/2026
Wade Millard Chappell, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and devoted servant of God, passed away on May 21, 2026, after a lifetime dedicated to faith, family, and community. Born on June 7, 1946, in Jackson, Mississippi, to Milda Wooten Chappell and Arthur Chester Chappell, Wade accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior in 1954 and was baptized at Trinity Baptist Mission in Carthage, Mississippi. He was a graduate of Edinburg High School, East Central Community College, Mississippi College, and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He was ordained into the ministry in 1967 and faithfully served as a pastor for more than 50 years at several churches, including New Harmony Baptist Church, Old Pearl Valley Baptist Church, Freeny Baptist Church, and Grandview Baptist Church. Even after his official retirement in 2018, his commitment to ministry led him back to Old Pearl Valley Baptist Church in 2021, where he continued to serve faithfully.
During the early years of his ministry, Wade also made a difference in education, teaching history at Edinburg High School and serving as Drug Education Coordinator for Leake County Schools. Over the past 25 years, he worked with Mississippi Mortuary Service and volunteered as a chaplain for Merit Health System, always striving to help those in need.
Wade was well known for his warm personality, always greeting others with a smile and often a funny story. His greatest passion was preaching the gospel and sharing the love of Jesus, and he cherished his family, his church, and his Heavenly Father. He lived a life of kindness, faith, and love — a guiding example for all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Glenda Tolbert Chappell, and their three children: Sha Chappell of Collierville, Tennessee; Amy McKinzie (Shane) of Pearl; and Toby Chappell (Kristen) of Pearl. Wade was a proud “Pop” to seven grandchildren: Ryan Erwin (Kristin) of Bowling Green, Kentucky; Holly Smith (Andrew), Hunter McKinzie, Riley Young (Emma), Gaige Young, Tristan McKinzie, and Ashlynn Chappell, all of Pearl. He was also blessed with six great-grandchildren: Reece Russell, Graham Russell, and Baker Smith of Pearl, and Lewis, Maggie, and Mary Cate Erwin of Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Also surviving him are three brothers, Wendell Chappell of LaPlata, Maryland; Emmett Chappell (his twin) of Dallas, Texas; David Chappell (Diane) of Pearl; and two sisters, Martha Williams of Kosciusko, Mississippi, and Shirley Hanson of Mobile, Alabama. Wade leaves behind numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces who will cherish his memory.
Known affectionately as “Bro. Wade” or simply “Preacher,” Wade never met a stranger and touched countless lives with his kindness and humor. He leaves a legacy for all to live by and will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Visitation will be held from 4:00pm until 7:00pm, Sunday, May 24, 2026, at Grandview Baptist Church in Pearl. Funeral services are 10:00am, Monday, May 25, 2026, at Grandview Baptist Church with graveside services to follow at 3:00pm at Sunrise Baptist Church Cemetery in Carthage.
Fond memories and condolences may be shared with Bro. Wade's family by visiting baldwinleepearl.com.
