Deaconess Mother Emily Vannette Chestnut was born on Friday, September 23, 1938, in Burgaw, NC, to the late Mother Lila Mae (Peterson-Wilson) Lewis and the late Sam James Lewis. She departed this life at Inspira Medical Center Vineland Campus on Saturday,
August 6, 2022.

While growing up in Burgaw, NC, she attended the local school system. She and her siblings were taught the way of faith by their mother and attended Mt. Sinai Holiness Church in Burgaw, NC. Later, she moved to New Jersey and was employed as a domestic worker for the Joffe, Morvay, and Weber families until her retirement. She met and married the late Al Frederick Chestnut, Sr. on February 3, 1967 in Bridgeton, NJ and to that union 4 handsome boys, now men, were born.

Remembering the teaching of her mother, Mother Chestnut gave her life back to the Lord and joined Pure Gospel Fire Baptized Holiness Church under the leadership of the late Dr. Elder R. L. Gordon until his passing, then serving under Pastor Joanna Powell-Chestnut, and finally Pastor Marilyn Lewis. Over the years, she has worn many hats serving as an ordained Deaconess, President of the Sr. Missionary department, the Trustee & the Pastor's Aid Boards, Sunday school Superintendent, assistant Superintendent, Sunday school teacher, church announcer, organizer of the Pastor's/church's anniversaries, church treasurer, and church baker and cook to name a few. She was later appointed NJ District Mother in the Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas, Inc. Mother Chestnut was also a fundraiser extraordinaire, hosting the annual Queen for a Day contest and was never afraid to ask for a donation to help her church. She baked and sold many cakes; and let us not forget her fried fish, candied yams, potato salad, and collard greens for the church dinner sales. She loved the Lord and her church, and was faithful until death.
Mother Chestnut leaves to cherish her memory 3 children Darrel Chestnut, Sr., Kevin Chestnut, Sr. (Krissy Vest) and Lorenzo Chestnut (Belinda); two daughters-in-law Rev. Joanna L. Powell-Chestnut and Jacqueline Button-Chestnut, 1 brother, Roscoe Lewis, 3 sisters-in-law, Pastor Marilyn Lewis, Jannie Mae Lewis, and Rossie Pearl Wilson and one brother-in-law Pastor Robert C. Chestnut; 15 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren, & a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Mother was predeceased by her husband, Al Frederick Chestnut, Sr., her son, Al Frederick Chestnut, Jr., her mother, Mother Lila Mae Lewis; father, Sam James Lewis; mother-in-law, Ruby Lee Chestnut, father-in-law, Lorenzo G. Chestnut; siblings: Rev. Jesse Wilson, Emma Mae Wilson, Mother Rosa M. (Wilson) Talbert, Samuel Stevenson Wilson, Hazel Mae Stewart, Freddie Eugene Lewis, Sr., Alton Ray Lewis, Sr., James Edward Lewis; 1 brother-in-law Robert Stewart; and 2 sisters-in-law Vastina "Cookie" G. Chestnut & Patricia "Pat" A. Chestnut.