Jesse Chapel

Funeral Service for Jesse Chapel, 58, of Brownsboro, Texas, will be at 10:00 am on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, at Laird Funeral Home.  Burial will be in Blue Springs Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, April 13, 2021, at Laird Funeral Home.

Jesse James Chapel left our earthly plane on Friday, April 9th, surrounded by family. The Chapel family asks that you join them in celebrating his life and success as a man, father, grandfather, and friend. Jesse Chapel was born in Nacogdoches, Texas on September 22nd, 1962 to J.B. and Armathia Chapel of Etoile, Texas.            

Mr. Chapel graduated from C.E. King High School in Houston, Texas. He then began a career in the logging industry for many years. During his illustrious career, he mastered nearly every aspect of the industry from cutting trees and transporting logs to the operation of various processing equipment and the application of final treatment prior to wholesale distribution. Throughout his years, he always worked hard to provide for his family, starting J&J Lawn Services, custom bailing hay, and farming vegetables for his community – all in support of the people that he loved.

In 1989, he joined the Masonic Lodge. He obtained his 32nd degree in the Scottish Rite and became a Shriner shortly after. He is an endowed member of the Brownsboro Masonic Lodge. Mr. Chapel loved the work, fellowship, and community building he was able to achieve as a Mason and a Shriner. 

Jesse always enjoyed working with his hands. Whether it was turning a useless patch of soil into a thriving garden or rebuilding the engine of an old tractor, he was always eager to start something new. However, what he enjoyed the most was helping others. From responding to a blazing wildfire as a volunteer firefighter to working on a project with his son-in-law to make his house feel just a bit more like home, you could always count on him to lend a helping hand.

In addition to his work at the Etoile Volunteer Fire Department, Jesse was an active member of the community. He poured his heart into the activities of his children, serving as a 4-H Leader, Little Dribblers Coach, and Nacogdoches Youth Softball Coach and Commissioner. 

You never knew what pun or witty saying Jesse would have up his sleeve. He left friends and even strangers with a smile on their face. Sometimes, he even left folks with their jaws dropped. 

His greatest achievement was to instill in his children and grandchildren the lessons of hard work, good stewardship in the community, and the ability to survive off the land. You didn’t have to ask him (he’d tell ya’) that all four of his children graduated college.  

Many family members of Jesse may recall hours spent in the garden, gathering bushels of vegetables, countless livestock shows, and his expert supervision. His life and legacy will be remembered and carried on by all those who had the distinct pleasure to know him.

Jesse is proceeded in death by his parents, J.B. and Armathia Chapel; his brother Jerry Chapel; and nephew, Andrew Miley.

He is survived by his wife, Shawnda; sisters, Francis Jones and Thelma Miley; children, Nicole, Joshua, Christopher, and Armathia; grandchildren, Mackenzi, Colin, and Sloan and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jesse Chapel, please visit our floral store.