Clayton Chester, 80, of Dawsonville, died Jan. 31, 2011.

Born Feb. 8, 1930 to the late Fate and Rachael Chester, he was a lifelong resident of Dawson County.

Mr. Chester was a retired equipment operator with Temple Inland where he had more than 40 years of service without ever missing a day of work. He was a former deacon of New Hope Baptist Church.

His wife, Norma Lee Chester; seven brothers and a sister, also preceded him in death.

Survivors include his children, Jimmy and Annie Sue Chester, Janie and Jerry Brown, Keith and Tammy Chester, Michael and Delain Chester, all of Dawsonville, Johnny and Snooky Chester of Dahlonega; brother, Loy Chester of Dahlonega; 11 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; various other relatives also survive.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Feb. 3 at New Hope Baptist Church with the Rev. Harold Byess officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery.

Bearden Funeral home of Dawsonville was in charge of the arrangements.