News

In Memory of Julie Chester

We are saddened to learn of the passing of Mrs. Julie Chester. Julie and her husband Jim are longtime, treasured members of the Harding family as employees, parents, and grandparents.

Julie was born in Paragould, AR, on April 24, 1943, daughter of the late Faye Eubanks Williams and Harvey Williams. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, James Alan Chester, her daughters Autumn (Sam) Marshall and Tiffany (Micah) Parkhurst; her five loving grandchildren Ellen, Catherine, and Levi Marshall, and Olivia and Elena Parkhurst; and a host of nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Julie graduated from Harding College in Searcy, AR, in 1964. After college she served as an elementary school teacher for 18 years and then as a school librarian for 30 years, both primarily at Harding Academy of Memphis. She loved studying the scriptures, reading and journaling, and was a life-long learner famous for saying, “let’s look it up” when she had a question. She was a 33-year breast cancer survivor and strong supporter of Parkinson’s Disease research. She loved singing and listening to choral music and attended every activity of her grandchildren’s that she possibly could. 

She lived in Memphis for 55 years and was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ, including 53 years at the Highland Church of Christ. She was a strong supporter of Christian education, sponsoring a music scholarship at Harding Academy of Memphis together with her husband Jim.

She made an impact on hundreds of students over the course of her career, setting an example of what an educated Christian woman should be. She was dearly loved by her community both at Harding Academy and at Highland.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, May 31, at 3:30 p.m. in O. O. Emmons Auditorium at Harding Academy of Memphis, 1100 Cherry Road, with visitation with the family at 2:00 p.m. A graveside service for the family will be held on Tuesday, June 1, in Paragould, AR.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Jim and Julie Chester Music Scholarship at Harding Academy of Memphis, or Highland Church of Christ in Memphis.