Obituary of John Cabell Chenault III

CHENAULT, Dr. John Cabell, III of Richmond, VA and Frankfort KY died August 29, 2016. He was born January 5, 1914 in Johnetta, KY, the first son of John Cabell Chenault, Jr. and Bess Turner Wagers. He was raised in Mississippi but left to attend Transylvania University in Lexington, KY and Lexington Theological Seminary. He was awarded an honorary doctorate by his alma mater, Transylvania. Beginning his career in Nashville TN as an associate to Dr. Roger T. Nooe, John held pastorates in Winchester, Providence, Lancaster, Mt. Sterling and Frankfort, KY from 1939 until 1980. Upon retiring, he led 17 interim ministries and retired a second time in 1995. At the age of 80, he was called back to First Christian Church, Frankfort to help with pastoral calling. This passion became full time work until his third retirement at age 90. John was predeceased by his beloved Mary Elizabeth Crouch, his wife of 66 years, who died in 2006, and his siblings Jay and David Chenault and Eleanor Drash. He is survived by a daughter, Margarete Chenault DuFresne and grandchildren, Philip and Alan Lucas, and great grandchildren, Brandon and Colton; son, John Cabell, IV and his wife Marion, grandchildren, Elizabeth Chenault, and J.C., V and his wife, Joy, great grandchildren , Cabell, VI and Lacey; and son, David Larkin and his wife Martha, grandchildren, Cordelia Chenault and her partner, Silke Ackermann, great grandson, Noah; and Carolyn Chenault Noel and her husband George and great grandchildren, Sam and Grace. John’s first passion, singing, began with his father and sister in Mississippi. As he began to preach in small churches around Central KY, he would underscore his sermons with bits of hymnody – a practice he continued throughout his ministry. John and Mary Elizabeth loved singing together and entertained with Broadway show tunes, light opera and and religious music. Called by his father-in-law, “Cousin Larkin” Crouch to come to Camp Greenbrier in WV in 1944, John and another counselor started a musical which he directed for 66 years. Even late in life he entertained nursing home staff and fellow residents with his resonant baritone voice. A member of Rotary International for more than 65 years, John served as President in both the Mt. Sterling and Frankfort clubs. He was an accomplished fly-fisherman, and, being a frugal man, he used his chest high waders both for fishing and for baptizing his flock. An avid golfer, he played in his last tournament when he was 96. On Saturday, September 3, a celebration of John’s life will be held at First Christian Church at 11:00 am. Visitation will be at Rogers Funeral Home Friday, September 2nd from 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm and from 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John’s name to First Christian Church, 316 Ann Street Frankfort, KY 40601 or to a charity of your choice.