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SMITHFIELD — LCDR Roy Willis Chesson, USN (Ret.), of Smithfield, Virginia, departed this life on Feb. 23 after a courageous and determined fight against stage 4 gastroesophageal junction cancer.

Born in 1953 in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, to Ellen W. (“Poppy”) and Roy Otis Chesson, his parents predeceased him within seven weeks of each other in 2010.

After graduating from Northeastern High School Roy attended the Naval Academy, where he majored in chemistry. After graduating, Roy began his naval career as a surface warfare officer. While in the Navy Roy’s travels included a two year-long assignment in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he was the Safety and Quality Assurance officer at Canada’s largest naval repair facility.

Roy was also a faithful supporter of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Franklin, Virginia, serving twice on the vestry and contributing his speaking talents as lay reader. He continued these until his illness made it no longer possible.

Roy is survived by his wife, Erika N. Harper Chesson of Smithfield; his son, Roy David Chesson (Tiffany) of Franklin, Tennessee; three grandchildren, Jaelynn, Athena and Kian Chesson, all of Franklin, Tennessee; two sisters, Alice R. (“Robin”) Chesson and Ellen C. Edens (Mark), all of Dalzell, South Carolina; two nieces, Anna Chesson Edens Hurst (Garrett) of Birmingham, Alabama and Elizabeth Edens Quinn (Alex) of Columbia, South Carolina; one nephew, Mark Spears Edens Jr. of Dalzell, South Carolina; and his very sweet kitty, Liam.

The family will receive friends in Little’s Funeral Home, 1515 S. Church St. in Smithfield, on Friday, March 13, from 6 to 8 p.m.

A celebration of life will be on Saturday, March 14, at 2 p.m., at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Franklin, Virginia, with Fr. Scott Baker officiating. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, Roy asked that memorial donations be made to PAWS of Hertford County, 231 Mt. Moriah Road, Ahoskie, NC 27910.

To share online condolences and read the full text of this obituary, please visit www.littlesfuneralhome.com.