Vonzo Chaffin, 97, of Palestine died at home Saturday, June 23, 2012, leaving behind his wife of 74 years, Fern Dauphin Chaffin.

Services will be held at Southside Baptist Church in Palestine at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 27, with the Rev. Forrest Wiggins officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Park cemetery on U.S. Highway 84. Family will receive friends at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday in the fellowship hall at Southside Baptist Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Bailey & Foster, Palestine.

Mr. Chaffin was born Dec. 28, 1914 in Anderson County, the first of four children of Myrtie Wilson Chaffin and Charles Luther Chaffin. After graduating from Elkhart High School in 1934, he attended Tyler Commercial College. He was a member of Southside Baptist Church, a Master Mason, and a 64-year member of Tyre Lodge No. 198 A.F. & A.M. in Tennessee Colony. He was also Past Patron of the Tennessee Colony Order of Eastern Star No. 102 and of the Palestine Order of Eastern Star No. 395.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister. Christine Martin; and brother, Wallace J. Chaffin.

Mr. Chaffin is survived by his wife; two daughters, Margie Elliott of Houston and Judy Burgess of Palestine; and sister, Maxine England of Mars Hill, North Carolina. He also is survived by three grandsons, Greg Lohse and wife Lorena of The Woodlands, Toby Burgess and wife Christy of Lake Dallas, and Jon Lohse and wife Molly of San Marcos; stepgrandson, Tom Elliott and wife Connie of Houston; stepgranddaughter, Martha Chapman and husband David of Wharton; two great-grandchildren and numerous other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers will be Greg Lohse, Toby Burgess, Jon Lohse, Tom Elliott, Dickie Douglas and Harold Skidmore. Honorary pallbearers will be Joe E. Chaffin, David Chapman, Nat Coleman, Parrish Molandes, Proctor Moore, Dr. David Thompson, and the men of the Southside Fishers Sunday School class.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorials be made to the Building Maintenance Fund, Southside Baptist Church, 1500 Crockett Rd., Palestine, Texas 75801 or to a charity of ones choice.

To view online, leave condolences or sign guest book go to www.baileyandfosterfuneralhome.com.