Raymond Chastain

Raymond Chastain, 74, of Dahlonega passed away Tuesday July 19, 2011 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center following a period of declining health.

Born April 8, 1937 in Pickens County to the late Ben and Eula Chastain, he had lived in Lumpkin County over 50 years. Mr. Chastain was formerly employed by Vantress Farms and Tyson after which he began a career in automobile sales with Cody Chevrolet and retired in 2008 from Hardy Chevrolet. After retirement he worked with Chastain Janitorial Supply. An avid racing fan, Raymond was a team member with Chastain Racing and was a devoted Dale Earnhardt fan. He was a member of Mill Creek Baptist Church, Blue Mountain Lodge #38 F & AM, and was also preceded in death by sisters, Ann Hooper, Ola Belle Wiley, Wynell Lingerfelt, and a brother, Willard Crane.

Surviving are his wife, Pat Chastain, Dahlonega; children, Debbie Peck, Dawsonville, Rita and Leon Foster, Dahlonega, Donna and Adren Crawford, Lula, Rhonda and Doug Soule, Cumming, Ricky and Shari Wright, Cleveland, Scott and Laura Lathem, Dahlonega; sisters and brothers in law, Margie and Ernest Davenport, Union Point, Estelle and Chuck Reece, Gillsville; brothers and sisters in law, Wade and Marvene Crane, Dawsonville, Ralph and Shirley Chastain, Dahlonega, Alton and Linda Chastain, Dahlonega; nine grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and a number of other relatives.

Funeral services will be held Friday July 22, 2011 at 2 o'clock at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Rev. Rodney Pilcher, Rev. Lyman Caldwell and Rev. Larry Lingerfelt will officiate. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends Thursday from 4 until 9 at the funeral home.

Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.

Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.