Chester Lee Bragg was born August 28, 1926 in Dandridge Tenn. He slipped quietly away from this earthly life and entered eternal rest on October 20, 2022 in Knoxville Tenn.

Chester knew the Lord at an early age as a member of Fairview Baptist Church in the Flatwoods Community of Dandridge Tenn. As an adult he made Tabernacle Baptist Church his home. As a faithful member, Deacon and Trustee he was instrumental in the operation and growth of the church.

Chester was proud of his military life being a member of the Tuskegee Experience. He served with the 385th Army Air Force (AAF) Base Unit support team during World War II (WWII).
Chester met many people during his work life that began at the Oak Ridge (Secret City) Atomic Research Site, operating one of Knoxville’s only Black shoe shop and dry cleaners and his career with the United States Post Office where he retired. He took pride in the maintenance of that post office and would tell the times of the rich and famous he met and stories of that day.

The East Knoxville community will remember him for his impact on the youth with Little League Baseball. Many men to this day remember “Coach Bragg” and how he made a difference in their lives. Saved them from the streets and allowed them to travel with championships to Chattanooga, Atlanta and Detroit. He loved baseball and his favorite team LA Dodgers.

Chester met the love of his life, Mary Olden and married in 1950. Moving from rural communities of Dandridge and Parrotsville, Tenn they moved and settled in Knoxville. As a family man, he always wanted his four boys to have the best opportunity to succeed. He instilled a hard work attitude and to always save something for a rainy day. Growing up during the Great Depression had a great impact on how to looked at life. He probably still has his first dollar hidden away somewhere.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years Mary Thelma Olden Bragg, parents Bernie and Edna Bragg; four brothers Bernie Jr (Charlsie), William, Raymond (Francis) and Eugene; three sisters Edith (Willard) Long, Anna Love (Charles) Branner and Otis Dean (Lucius) Donaldson; three grand-children Demond Woodard, Kristin Carero and Chantel Bragg.

He is survived by four sons; Gary ( Renee), Ronald, Felix and Keith (Pennie); sister Estella Ruth Owensby; 16 grandchildren Derek (Jadawne), Malaika, Karla, Gary Jr., Stephanie (T. E.), Troy (Latasha), Jason, Talyssa, DereSika (Jarvis) Thomason, Semone, Brianda (Lorenzo), Latasha, Brandon, Keith Jr., Keyona and Jamia; 43 great-grandchildren; 40 great-great-grandchildren and devoted caregivers Wanda Siler, Jameva Cates and Jason Moultry and a whole host of loving family and friends that are too numerous to name.