Mr. Frank Chappell Jr.

Adams announces the passing of Mr. Frank Chappell Jr., 85, who transitioned on Saturday, May 27, 2017 Candler Hospital.

Adams announces the funeral services for Retired Sergeant Frank Chappell Jr. will be held 2:00 P.M., Saturday, June 3, 2017 at St. Benedict The Moor Catholic Church.

Visitation: 5 P.M.-7 P.M., Friday at the funeral home.

Interment: Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.

“Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or
wonder why. No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come.
For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die.” Isaiah 57:1-2

Frank Chappell, Jr. was born on March 16, 1932 to the late Catherine King Jones and the late
Frank Chappell, Sr. in Quitman, GA. He was his mother’s pride and joy and he stayed close to
her throughout her life. Back home, he was affectionately known as Peter or Big Pete.

Frank was an adventurous child who learned how to do many trades at an early age. He
embraced Christ at an early age and was a faithful member of the Church of Christ in his
formative years. After college, he made the decision to join the Catholic Church and joined St.
Benedict the Moor Church in Savannah.

He attended the schools of Brooks County (Quitman) where he excelled. In high school, he
joined the Trojan Football Team where he was an outstanding athlete. Because of his size, the
school allowed him to also serve as the driver for the team and he often drove the school bus
for all of the team’s long distance road trips, going as far as Miami, FL for the team.

After graduating from high school, he decided to join the Army and serve his country. After
basic training, he was quickly sent to his first deployment out of the country to Korea to fight in
the Korean War. After fulfilling his duty, he left the army and returned to Quitman, GA.
He then decided to make use of his education dollars from the military and go to college. He
decided to come to Savannah State College (now University) with his high school friends and
former football teammates. He was part of “The Boys from Q Town” who took the college by
storm. Everyone quickly rushed to meet the new boys on campus. He decided to continue his
athletic skills and joined the football team under the coaching leadership of Coach Wright.
Savannah State also was the place that introduced young Frank to the love of his life, Annie
Claudia Coleman of Valdosta, GA. He was instantly smitten with this young lady and never left
her side on campus. They were often seen holding hands and walking throughout the campus.
The young couple decided to wait for Annie to graduate from college before getting married. He
asked her to marry him after getting the blessings from her brother, Jimmie Stephens and
grandmother, Mary Stephens.

After marrying Annie on July 27, 1957, Frank decided to leave Savannah State and joined the
Savannah Police Department after they advertised they were hiring another group of African
American officers. He was hired as part of the 2nd group of African American officers.                                                                                                                                                                     The officers were not able to drive in police cars and could not arrest persons. He had a walking beat through the neighborhoods of East Savannah.

He was well-known and people looked
forward to seeing him walking through the area. They often opened their homes to him for
breaks and to give him coffee. He often joked that he was glad no one was ruthless or
dangerous at the time because it would take time for the White officers to come on the scene to
arrest anyone. Black officers had to wait for approval from headquarters before officers would
be dispatched to area to arrest criminals. He stayed on the police force for 35 years. He
moved from the walking beat to the detective office and was able to solve many police cases
through the years.

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