Obituary of The Rev. Dr. Henry L. Chennault

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4: 6-8

The Rev. Dr. Henry Lee Chennault, 84, beloved husband of Reba Maxine DuBois Chennault transitioned from this life into the arms of His Savior on Tuesday afternoon, January 17, 2023 at his residence following a period of declining heath.

Dr. Chennault was born on March 4, 1938 in Dalhart, Texas, a son of the late John Edward and Mary Victoria Jones Chennault. The most important decision he made in his life however, was when at the age of 8, he was reborn and accepted Christ as his Personal Lord and Savior at the First Baptist Church in Altus, Texas.

Dr. Chennault accepted God’s calling upon his life and surrendered and was licensed to preach in July of 1956. He was later ordained into the ministry in 1956 at the First Baptist Church of Altus, OK.

Dr. Chennault was a 1956 graduate of Altus High School. While in high school, Dr. Chennault was very active in athletics serving two years as the starting center on the varsity basketball team. In his senior year, he was the leading scorer.

 He earned his Bachelors of Arts Degree: Major in English; Minor in Speech and Bible from Oklahoma Baptist University in 1960. He earned his Masters of Arts Degree in American Literature with his Thesis Topic: “The Sermon Style of Jonathan Edwards” from the University of Oklahoma in 1963 and his Doctor of Philosophy from Trinity Theological Seminary in 1979. During his college years, Dr. Chennault won two intramural letters. He was also active in the Ministerial Alliance having served as President as well as other office positions. He was a member of Sigma Tau Delta (professional English Fraternity), Xi Omega (National Leadership Fraternity for men), and Kappa Delta Pi (National Educational Fraternity). He was named to Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities in 1956 and was on the Dean’s Honor roll.

Dr. Chennault served in a number churches throughout his ministry. He was the Senior Pastor at Payne Baptist Church in Lindsay, OK from 1959-1960. He was the Senior Pastor at Erin Baptist Church in Lindsay, OK from 1960 – 1963. During his tenure there, the church led the Arbuckle Association for two years in baptisms and led the state convention in one of those years in ratio of baptisms to resident membership. He was the senior pastor at the First Baptist Church in Davis, Oklahoma from 1963 until 1967. During his ministry there, the church led the association in baptisms one of those years and was second in baptisms the other years. In his pastorate in Oklahoma during this time he served as president of two Ministerial Alliances (Davis & Lindsay) and was active in civic affairs having been a member of the Kiwanis Club where he served as secretary. In 1970, he was named to the Outstanding Young Men in America. He twice served as Bible Teacher at Glorieta Baptist Assembly. He was the Executive Director of the Brotherhood Department at the Oklahoma Baptist General Convention from 1967 until 1972. He then moved to the South Carolina Southern Baptist Convention office where he was the Executive Director of the Brotherhood Department from 1972 until 1975. In 1975 he accepted the call to the First Baptist Church of Aiken where he served as Senior Pastor from 1975 until 1985. He them became the Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Elk City, OK from 1985 until 1987 and then transitioned back to the Oklahoma Baptist General Convention where he served from 1987 until his retirement in 2003.

During his pastorate and convention work, Dr. Chennault served on the Board of Trustees for Furman University from 1979-1981. In addition, he organized the Consortium for Intentional Interim Ministers while at OBGC for Oklahoma, Missouri and Arkansas Baptist Conventions as well as Supervisor for the Supervised Ministry Program. In addition, Dr. Chennault was a mentor for young men entering the ministry from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary from 1982 until 1983.

For as long as his health permitted, Dr. Chennault continued to minister to over 50 churches as Interim and Transitional pastor in Oklahoma and South Carolina. He also was the moderator for the Aiken Baptist Association in 2005 and 2013. He was a tireless and humble servant of Christ who gave his life to the call God gave him. He received the Citation of Recognition from the State of Oklahoma by Governor Frank Keating in 2000 for his service to Oklahoma congregations.

Surviving in addition to his wife of 64 years are two sons and daughters-in-law, Mark & Beverly Chennault of Las Vegas, NV and Mike & Becky Chennault of Geneva, IL; a brother and sister-in-law, Rev. John V. & Charlotte Chennault of Broken Arrow, OK; grandchildren, Ryan & Lauren Chennault of Minot, ND, Stephanie Chennault of Los Angeles, CA, Philip Chennault of Salt Lake City, UT, Sydney Chennault of Las Vegas, NV, Katie Chennault of Indianapolis, IN, Claire & Allen Chennault-Parra, Chloe Chennault & Kenner Chennault all of Geneva, IL.; great-grandchildren, Ozi Chennault, Grace Chennault, Zoey Russo, Lyric Russo, Olivia Chennault, Bella Chennault & Kai Chennault.

Funeral services will be conducted on Sunday, January 22, 2023 at 4:00p.m. in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Aiken with the Rev. John V. Chennault, the Rev. John Carroll, the Rev. Dan Rose & the Rev. Brancie Stephens officiating.

The family requests that all active and retired ministers in attendance for Dr. Chennault’s funeral services serve as honorary pallbearers. They are asked to meet in the vestibule of the sanctuary at 3:40p.m. on Sunday afternoon.

Dr. Chennault will lie in repose in the sanctuary at First Baptist Church of Aiken, 120 Chesterfield N. Aiken, SC 29801 on Saturday evening, January 21, 2023 where the family will receive friends from 5:00p.m. until 7:00p.m.

A graveside internment service will take place in Rolston Cemetery, Bernice, Oklahoma on Friday, January 27, 2023.

The Historic George Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 211 Park Ave SW, Aiken, SC 29801 (803) 649.6234 is honored to be able to serve the Chennault family during this time.

On Tuesday afternoon, Dr. Chennault heard the words he had longed to hear for so long, “…Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” Matthew 25:23.

Online expressions of sympathy for the family may be left by visiting www.georgefuneralhomes.com