Nov. 22, 1954 – Sept. 9, 2011

PINE BLUFF, Ark. — Services for the Rev. John Lee Chatman, 56, who died Friday, Sept. 9, 2011, will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at New St. Hurricane Baptist Church with the Rev. Louis E. Williams officiating.

Burial will follow at Forrest Lawn Cemetery under the direction of Brown Funeral Home in Pine Bluff.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home and from 9:45 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church.

Rev. Chatman was born Nov. 22, 1954, in Natchez, the son Eli Chatman Sr. and Catherine Dyson Chatman. He was a 1976 graduate of North Natchez High School. He accepted Christ at an early age.

John became an ordained minister in 1979, at Faith Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Little Rock, Ark., under the leadership of the Rev. L.A. Lindsey. He was the proud pastor of New Faith Baptist Church in Pine Bluff. He was employed by Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Buff for 25 years until his health begin to fail.

He was known as a devoted husband, father, minister and friend. He was an avid basketball player, loved bowling and supporting the UA PB Golden Lions football team.

Rev. Chatman was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Eli Chatman Jr.

Survivors include his wife, Tracey Chatman; one daughter, Alycia Chatman; three stepchildren, Asha Irby, Adrian Minor and Pamela Pinkins and husband, Edward, all of Pine Bluff; four brothers, Earl Chatman of Jackson, Roosevelt Chatman and wife, Devita, of East Chicago, Ind., Leroy Chatman and wife, Laura, of Little Rock and Leon Chatman and wife, Elaine, of Philadelphia; five sisters, Rose Gordan and Catherine Chatman, both of Little Rock, Lucille Chatman of Mabelvale, Ark., Emma McDaniel and husband, Walter, of Natchez and Mary Bell of Chicago; and a number of nieces, nephews and friends.