George Belk James Clark Maurice Jones Burrell McKenzie, Jr. Michael Steward Lewis Walker
Nieces
The family of the late Deacon Ephraim Chinn is sincerely grateful in many ways to everyone for the kind and varied expressions of sympathy, support, and love. May God richly bless you and keep you; may the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; may the Lord turn His face to you and give you peace, always.
Hospice Atlanta Center Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church
Fellowship Hosts The Miller Family
Green Acres Cemetery
1485 Schatulga Road Columbus, GA 31907
Final Arrangements Entrusted to:
Murray Brothers Funeral Home
1199 Utoy Springs Road, SW Atlanta, GA 30331

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Obituary
Our beloved, E phraim Chinn, was born April 22, 1925 in Chattahoochee County, Cusseta, GA to the parentage of RC and Annie Lee Daniel Chinn. He made his transition on the early morning of June 19, 2014 at Hospice Atlanta Center in Atlanta, GA. He was the fifth of twelve children, six boys and six girls. Ten siblings preceded him in death : George, Viola, Lawson, Fannie, Willie, Emma, Ulysses, Susie, Cleo, and Rosa. His family moved to Buena Vista, GA in 1941. Unlike most farmers in the area, hi s father chose to rent the land instead of sharecrop. He was unable to attend school regularly because he had to help his family with farming. Still, he was an exceptional student and went on to do well on his own. When he was 11years old, he was hired out weekly to another farm, including Saturday work, because he was known to plow very well. His work generated more income for the family. When asked how much money he earned as a hired hand, his response was, "I don't know ; the man didn ' t trade with me, he traded with my daddy!"
Ephraim grew up in Kingsville Missionary Baptist Church in Cusseta, GA. In 1948, he joined Little Rock Baptist Church in Detroit, MI, where he served on the Usher Board. In 1956, he joined Poplar Spring Baptist Church in Buena Vista, GA, where he was ordained as a deacon in 1960. Over the course of 50 years at Poplar Spring, he served as an usher, Sunday School Superintendent, choir member, deacon, Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Deacon Board. He loved the church and was committed to insuring that it prospered and served the community-at-large. For many years he made certain that the building was safe and secure, and the needs of the people were met. It was not unusual for him to serve as construction worker, plumber, electrician, landscaper, or committee chairman. He maintained the ram and the well to insure that the church had running water. When Christian worship and fellowship was no longer an option for him at Poplar Spring, he and hi s family returned to his home church in Cusseta, GA, where Reverend Andy Thornton was pastor. He attended numerous churches with Pastor Thornton and made new Christian friends wherever he went. He truly believed God's Word and studied it dLiigently. Even when his illness became quite evident, he got down on his knees and prayed each night. He was a true Christian.
Ephraim was a Prince Hall Mason for 68 years. He served as Worshipful Master to Lodge #446 in Buena Vista, GA for eight years. Under his leadership, the lodge prospered, specifically: the academic scholarship award was established; the church fellowship was initiated; the annual banquet fundraiser was originated; and he holds the record for the largest number of corner stones laid. He enjoyed attending local, state, and national conferences and was a life member.
On "Big Meeting Day" at Poplar Spring in August 1944, Ephraim met Minnie Lee Belk. Shortly after they met, he was drafted into the United States Navy and served a tour of duty during World War II. He remained in touch with Minnie throughout his tour and when he returned from military service, they were married July 13, 1946. They moved to Detroit, Ml, where he enrolled in Trade School for Auto Mechanics . While attending school, he worked at The Chrysler Corporation and later at Ford Motor Company. He bought one of the first houses built in Inkster, MI, a suburb t!lf Detroit. They traveled back and forth from Michigan to Georgia at a time when 1-75 was non-existent. He talked about how he packed three or four clutches in the car because he had to travel over, around, or down so many mountains, which could easily burn out the clutch. Minnie packed fried chicken, bread and other snacks because discrimination and segregation were in full bloom and there was no place for them to stop and eat. Over a period of21 years, they were blessed with five children : Rether, Annette, Janice Marie, Gregory Allen, and Valerie Lorraine.
Ephraim was a very strong man and was n~ stranger to hard work. As such, he always protected and provided for his family, as well as many other families. After returning to Buena Vista, he worked at Fort Benning Army Base, and later retired from J. F. King Construction Company. He was a gifted mechanic, welder, cement fini sher, and machine operator. Because of hi s work experience growing up, he never really cared for tools or equipment that did not have engines. In fact, sometimes when there was no engine, he installed one! He started a pine straw business that enabled many family members and others to earn money, especially young people who wanted to work. The first bailer for the pine straw was manual , but short lived. He devised a contraption that packed the straw in nice little squares that were secured with wire as they moved through the bailing system. Many relatives were often greeted with a phrase he used: " . .. wanna bail a little?" He was a very hard-working man. He always told his children he was unable to finish high school or go to college, but they would; and they did. He and Minnie insured that all five of their children went to college. He loved his family.
He was a very generous person with a kind heart and would help anybody, anytime. Many times he stopped to fix a car on the way to church, in his suit. He often stated that you have to help somebody. Even after suffering a stroke, he was still very good with hi s hands and could fix almost anything. When asked why he did certain things or did them in a certain way, his standard reply was: " ...just keep living." He was a good person who embraced life. He loved sharing stories about his life; he enjoyed watching MSNBC and the judge shows on TV; and you would often find him sitting in the garage eating peanuts with his neighbor and friend, Mr. Bill.
Ephraim loved God, his family, hi s friends, and all people. Although he has gone home to be with The Lord, many are left to cherish hi s memory: a loving, devoted wife, Minnie Lee (Belk) Chinn; five children: Rether (Henry) Jennings, College Park, GA; Annette Chinn, Ed.D., Atlanta, GA ; Janice Chinn, ABO, Trotwood, OH; Gregory Chinn, Dayton, OH; and Valerie Chinn, Esq. Atlanta, GA; four Grandchildren: SPC Timothy (Denice) Chinn, Evans, GA ; John Evan Wall , Atlanta, GA; Jarell Gregory Chinn, Maricopa, AZ; and Quinn Eliana Wall , Atlanta, GA ; one brother R.C. (Katie) Chinn, Jr. , Atlanta, GA; one great grandson: Aidan Yves-Sentell Chinn, Evans, GA; one God-granddaughter: Kathryn Willis, Washington, DC ; one step-granddaughter, Brianna Dillard, Maricopa, AZ; five sisters-in- law: Rosie Mae Chinn, Annie Ruth Steward, and Mary E. Belk, Buena Vista, GA ; Mattie Chinn, Atlanta, GA ; Mary Margaret Walker, Conyers, GA.; two brothers-in-law: Lewi s Walker, Sr., Evans, CO and Obb Durrah, Jr., Warner Robins, GA. ; two childhood friends: Roscoe Baker, California and Selton ("Ree") Thornton , Detriot, MI; devoted friends : William (Mr. Bill) Cowan, Henry Jennings, Andy Thornton, AKA Sorors, extended family/"fish-fry" friends , a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Tuesday, June 24, 2014- 12 Noon

Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church- 4400 Old Cusseta Road. -Columbus, GA 31903

Rev. James Calvin Harris, Jr., Senior Pastor

Rev. Andy Thornton, Officiating/Eulogist

Prelude
Processional
Hymn
Scripture Readings Old Testament .................................................... Pastor Andrew Thomas St. Paul CME, Buena Vista, GA
New Testament ... .. ...................................... ........ Dr. Emmett L. Jimerson, Pastor Zion Hill Baptist Church, Luthersville, GA
Prayer ............... ........................................................ Pastor Bruce McKenzie Springhill Baptist Church, Roberta, GA
Musical Selection .. . .... .. .... . .. .... ..... .. ... . ... . .... ... .... .. ..... .. .. The Miller Family
Reflections (Limit 3 minutes) ..... ... .. .. ............ ................... DDGM Freddie Grissom Prince Hall Masons Columbus District #4
Mr. Robert Weeks Church Service Worker
Mr. William Cowan Neighbor & Friend
Special Tribute . ... ... ... ... ... .... .... .. .. .. . .. . .. .. .. .... ..... ... . ... .. .. SPC Timothy Sentell Chinn Grandson
Musical Selection ............ ............................................ . The Miller Family
Eulogy................................ .. ... .. ................................ Reverend Andy M. Thornton Atlanta, GA
Musical Selection . ........................................................ The Miller Family
Acknowledgements ....................................................... Susan Gibson Carter
Benediction
Recessional
Fellowship
Regency Park Club House- 1100 Regency Center Drive - Atlanta, GA 30331 5:00p.m.