J. T. Morriss & Son Funeral Homes

Pritchard, Chalmer L.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Chalmer Lee Pritchard passed away peacefully on Thursday March 12, 2009 at the age of 93.
Chalmer was the son of the late Octavius Coke Pritchard, and Lettie Collins Pritchard. Born in Bertie County, North Carolina on February 16th, 1916, Chalmer moved to Hopewell, Va in 1923 along with his parents, and 8 of his 9 brothers. The Pritchards became a well known and very active family in the City of Hopewell. After graduation from Hopewell High School, Mr. Pritchard attended George Washington University, Washington DC. Mr. Pritchard served 5 years in the U.S. Army from 1941 to 1945 in Hawaii, the Philippines, and Japan, where he attained the rank of Captain. After his service in the Military, he attended the University of Miami. Mr. Pritchard was involved in the clothing business in Richmond, Va. and Washington D.C. before opening "Clark and Pritchard Clothiers" in Hopewell, VA in 1947, along with his good friend, the late Bruce Arlington Clark. The two businessmen also owned a ladies clothing store in downtown Hopewell known as "Carole Lane Fashions", named after Mr. Clark's daughter Carole, and Mr. Pritchard's son Lane.Chalmer Pritchard has been a member of the First Baptist Church of Hopewell for over 80 years, where he has served as a Deacon, and president of the Men's Bible Study. In the community, Mr. Pritchard was a member and former President of the Hopewell Rotary Club. He was a former board member of the Chamber of Commerce, former Vice Chairman and Director Emeritus of Pioneer Federal Savings Bank and was a member of the Advisory Board for the Greater TriCity Signet Bank. Mr. Pritchard served 11 years on the Hopewell City School Board, as well as 4 years as Chairman. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Edna Anthony Pritchard, as well as his 3 sons, Chalmer L. Pritchard Jr, Lane A. Pritchard and wife Robin, and John M. Pritchard, all of Hopewell. Also surviving is his wonderful granddaughter Mary Dale Pritchard, his brother Douglas and wife Rosemary, as well as a large extended family of relatives and friends. The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:30 PM on Monday March 16th at the Hopewell Chapel of J.T. Morris & Son Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday March 17th at Appomattox Cemetery with the Rev. Jeff Raymond, pastor of First Baptist Church officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 401 N. 2nd Ave. Hopewell, VA 23860. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com.

Edna - So sorry to hear of the passing of Chalmer. It was a pleasure to have met him. The Collins family always talked well of him and as a youth, the young Collins girls all had a crush on him as they said he was so cute and charming. God bless you and your family.
Sincerly - Neta C. Hastings

Posted by: Neta Collins Hastings at March 21, 2009 09:02 AM

Mrs. Pritchard and family,

You all are in my thoughts and prayers during this time. I will always have memories of Mr. Pritchard and you sitting behind me in morning worship service. God Bless you all during this time of loss.

Love and Prayers,
Brenda Carraway

Posted by: Brenda Carraway at March 17, 2009 11:30 PM

We have already missed Mr. Pritchard at FBC since he has not been able to attend church in a long while. He was such a comical gentleman. I made the mistake of sitting in his pew one Sunday and he came up to me and said "I believe you are in my pew." Me, being so naive, "Oh, am I?"..not really moving and not knowing if he was joking or what. "Yes, let's see ... 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 6...yes, I sit on the 7th pew. You are in my pew" (as he said it again with a smile on his face). Since it looked like he wasn't going to go away I quickly slipped over and said "Mr. Pritchard, come on and sit down. There is plenty room for all of us!" Be delighted that he was a fine Christian man and is now telling jokes with the Lord. Praise the Lord for a Christian husband and father
May the Lord bless you all.
Love,
Gay & Chuck Weston

Posted by: Gay Weston at March 16, 2009 10:36 PM

I have many fond memories of Mr. Pritchard having shopped often in both of his stores. Whether shopping at Carole Lane Fashions or at Clark and Pritchard's, he was always kind and helpful.

Doug, Rosemary and family - my deepest condolences. I'm thinking of you and praying for you during this time of great saddness and loss. God bless you and hold you in his loving arms.

Betty Dean Blodgett
(formerly Betty Wade)

Posted by: Betty Blodgett at March 16, 2009 03:43 PM

Dear Mrs. Pritchard and Family,

We are saddened to hear of the loss of your husband, father and brother. On behalf of our family please except our sincere condolences. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

Ellen, Bobby and Susan Gill

Posted by: Bobby & Susan Gill at March 14, 2009 11:42 PM

Mrs. Pritchard and Family,

We are saddened to learn of Mr. Pritchard's passing. We only knew him for a short while which we feel is our loss. He apparently was a blessing to First Baptist Church and the city of Hopewell. His family is a wonderful legacy. God bless you all.

Barbara and Randy Belcher

Posted by: Barbara & Randy Belcher at March 14, 2009 07:01 PM

My sincere sympathy to the Pritchard family, especially Doug and Rosemary and Cham, Jr., who I have known more personally through their church, Cobblestone, and Richard Bland College. What a wonderful family.

Love and prayers,
Judy

Posted by: Judy Blevins at March 14, 2009 06:54 PM

Dear Aunt Edna, Cham, Lane, and John,
I was so sorry to hear about Uncle Chalmer. He was one of the good guys and I'll always have my 60 years of memories of a perpetually happy man.
Love to y'all,
Cousin Bruce

Posted by: Bruce Pritchard at March 14, 2009 02:08 PM

Dear Mrs. Pritchard and family,

My thoughts go out to you and your entire family on the loss of your husband. Mr. Pritchard was a true gentleman, as well as a pillar of Hopewell. First Baptist church has lost another Saint. Your husband was a good friend to my father. My father spoke of him with true respect and honor.
I know this is a difficult time for all of you, but know that our Father in Heaven has plans for him. Sincerely,

John "Buddy" Leavitt

Posted by: Buddy Leavitt at March 14, 2009 07:42 AM

Pritchard family,
we are saddened to hear of the passing of Chalmer who was always such a gracious Christian gentleman. I know he will be missed tremendously in the family and greater community.
prayers will be with you all.
blessings
deb & gary

Posted by: Debbie & Gary Higginbotham at March 13, 2009 11:21 PM