FAYETTEVILLE — Chester Joe Naramor, age 85,

of Fayetteville passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, in Rogers, Ark. after a long illness.

Chester was a former minister, a missionary, and a retiree from the University of Arkansas. He was a member of Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville for 50-plus years and attended Genesis Church.

Chester is survived by his wife of 64 years, Doris Naramor, and two nieces, Melody Bowen Miller and Tina Hankins and their families. He is preceded in death by his parents Lester and Nettie Naramor, four siblings Mary Beth Dickard, Harold Naramor, Sharon Bowen and Larry Naramor, and nephew Thomas Dickard.

Chester was born March 19, 1938, in Springdale, Ark., the second of five children. He graduated from Springdale High School in 1956.

He attended Bethany Nazarene College (now Southern Nazarene University) in Oklahoma, where he met a lovely young woman named Doris Smith – his college roommate’s sister. The two married June 19, 1959, in Bethany, Okla.

After graduating from college, Rev. and Mrs. Naramor moved to Mexico City to study Spanish in preparation for the mission field. As missionaries, they served in South America, mainly Chile, then returned to the U.S., where Chester pastored several churches.

When health issues kept them from returning to the mission field abroad in the early ’70s, they settled in Fayetteville, where Chester went to work for the University of Arkansas. They joined Central United Methodist Church on Dickson Street and have been members for more than five decades.

Over the years, Chester’s life was punctuated by service as he volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and other organizations, with his church, and by participating in mission trips abroad when he could. He served with refugee relief, on an Arkansas Sheriff’s posse, and for many years could be seen around town towing a tiny trailer behind his little red truck, which he used to pick up and deliver donated household goods to anyone who needed them.

Chester was an avid outdoorsman, a responsible hunter, and a lifelong learner. He was an encourager and inspired others to grow in both wisdom and in kindness. He loved music, storytelling, Far Side cartoons, jokes that were “punny”, and tinkering around the house.

A graveside service with a committal of ashes is planned for 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 3, at Forest Park Cemetery, 770 Reddish Lane, Springdale, with Rev. Jody Farrell from Genesis Church of Fayetteville officiating. Afterward, an informal Celebration of Life with lunch, stories, photos, and memories of Chester will be held at Genesis Church’s Fellowship Hall at 205 W Martin Luther King Blvd, Fayetteville.

Arrangements were made with Moore’s Chapel Funeral Home, 206 W Center, Fayetteville, Ark. 72702. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial donations to Habitat for Humanity of Washington County, where Chester often volunteered over the years, or to Genesis Church, 205 W Martin Luther King Blvd, Fayetteville, 72701.

You may also join us in honoring Chester by committing a random act of kindness — small or large — for a stranger anytime on Tuesday, Oct. 3.

To place an online tribute, please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com