The following obituary is beautifully written by the family of Mr. Chappelle:
Ronnie Joseph Chappelle, born January 20, 1946, New Orleans, LA, raised in Mobile, Alabama and current resident of Addison, Alabama passed into Heaven on September 7, 2026 in his sleep.
He went to St. Mary’s Elementary School and McGill Institute for 12 years. Ronnie graduated from Mobile County High School, Grand Bay, AL in 1964, immediately joining U.S Navy and fought in Vietnam until 1968. After serving in active duty, he served in Naval Reserve MIUW unit and saw the Egyptian Pyramid and the countries near Israel. He served as a policeman in several venues in Mobile County, Al and retired from the U.S Department of Defense as a Police Officer Sargeant.
Visitation will be Thursday, September 10, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Nichols Funeral Home, where the service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at Arley Congregational Church Cemetery (Smith School House) in Arley. Bishop Sam Parker will officiate.
Ronnie is survived by his of wife 57 years, Becky Chappelle of Addison; daughter, Tracy E. Chappelle of Waco, Texas; and sons, Eric J. Chappelle of Mobile and Russell B. Chappelle of Double Springs, Alabama; brothers, William E. Bland, Jr and Terry Bland of Pana Illinois; maternal Aunt Margaret Cooley of Irvington, Alabama; three grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his, parents, Nellie Saranthus of Mobile and William Earl Bland of Pana, Illinois; his aunt Mary Irene Chappelle of Mobile; several siblings; and his grandparents.