Charles Everett Chatman

Charles Everett Chatman, 79, of Winter Haven, Florida went to his eternal home in Heaven after a hard-fought battle with Covid, on Sunday ,August 29, 2021.

Born on September 11, 1941, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri to Alden and Lucille (Lynch) Chatman, Charles was the oldest of his siblings Leroy (Helen) Chatman of Poplar Bluff, MO; Raymond (Betty) Chatman of Strafford, MO; Wanda (Curtis) Dicken of Poplar Bluff, MO; and Verna Anson, who was raised like a sister, of Poplar Bluff, MO. He answered the call to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ at age 16 and began pastoring his first church.

In 1960, at the age of 18, he married the love of his life, Norma Jean (Barker) Chatman. Together, they ministered for over 61 years. After 17 years in the pastorate, his burden for lost souls led him to launch into full-time evangelistic work. He formed the Charles Chatman Evangelistic Association whose mission was “Proclaiming Christ to the World.”

Charles carried the Good News of salvation to countless countries across 6 continents, including Haiti, Kenya, India, Peru, Jamaica, Lesotho, Chile, South Korea, Russia, Guatemala, Australia, Taiwan, Germany, Venezuela, Ukraine, Trinidad, and Burma…just to name a few.

For 33 years, the focus of his international evangelism was the country of Haiti, leading groups to build 33 churches, orphanages, homes, schools, and clinics. In addition to the building projects, the teams were busy digging wells, performing medical and dental work, teaching hygiene classes, offering sewing lessons, and going on hut-to-hut visitations.

Within the U.S, he spent many years leading thousands of revivals in churches around the country.

In the last two years and until his death, Charles was the pastor of First Baptist Church at Lucerne Park in Winter Haven, Florida. Charles’s legacy is carried on by Jean and their three beloved children: Darla (Brian) Harris, Cindy (Dan) Clouse, and Bryan (Cate) Chatman, 9 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren, and many other beloved family members.

The public is welcome to attend one of two Homegoing Celebration services to remember and celebrate the life of Charles Chatman.

The first service will be held this Thursday, September 2 at 11:00 am at Calvary Baptist Church, 2101 Overlook Drive, Winter Haven, Florida. Visitation is at 10:00 am.

The second service will be held next Thursday, September 9 at 11:00 am at First Baptist Church, 551 N. Westwood Blvd, Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Visitation is at 10:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Charles Chatman Evangelistic Association (CCEA) for the benefit of one or more of the following ministries that were dear to Charles’ heart:

- Emmanuel Children’s Home, Bombardopolis, Haiti

- Building fund for the Church in Muhanda, Kenya (this is the church Charles and Bryan were scheduled to minister in this September; the building fund is currently at 50%)

- The For All Mankind Movement - a ministry of Kevin Philips. FAMM exists to initiate, nurture, & facilitate disciple-making movements which result in biblical church planting Checks can be made payable to CCEA and sent to 101 Greenfield Rd, Winter Haven FL 33884. Please designate the desired ministry cause you wish to donate to in the memo line

Cotrell Funeral Service is honored to serve the family of Charles Everett Chatman.