Chester Lane, Church Deacon
Chester Lamar Lane, a deacon of the Calvary Baptist Church in East Hampton who lived on Spinner Lane, next door to the church, died at Southampton Hospital on Feb. 15. He was 79 and had had a recent cancer diagnosis, his daughter, Bernadette Walker of Atlanta, said.
Ms. Walker described her father as a man of God, who loved being a part of his church. He not only was a deacon, but president of the usher board, co-chairman of the auxiliaries, and the lead singer in the men’s choir. “Oh, did he have a voice — angelic, I promise you,” Ms. Walker said.
Mr. Lane also was a landscaper who owned his own business for over 35 years and worked until he was hospitalized, his daughter said. He also worked for the East Hampton Town Police Department as a crossing guard from 2000 to 2015.
Mr. Lane shared his passion for music with his late wife, the former Lois Wyche, who also was a singer. In fact, they met in West Palm Beach, Fla., when she was aspiring to be a singer in the late 1950s. Mrs. Lane, who died in 2007, had also served the church in various capacities.
The couple married on Oct. 22, 1959 after Mr. Lane had completed four years in the Army, serving as a specialist in Korea. Mrs. Lane was a native of Sagaponack, and they settled in Bridgehampton, later moving first to Sag Harbor and then to East Hampton, where they lived for nearly 40 years.
Born Chesterfield Lane on May 1, 1936, his parents were Chesterfield Lane and the former Anna Mae Hines of Nashville, Ga. He graduated from Berrien County High School, and enlisted shortly afterward. He had changed his name to Chester Lamar Lane, his daughter said.
“He loved life,” Ms. Walker said of her father. “And, he loved people. Anyone who came into contact with him was affected by his love and charisma. He just loved.”
In addition to his daughter, Mr. Lane is survived by his sons, Jerome Nixon of Pearson, Ga., Issac Roberson of Philadelphia, Curtis Ellis of Bellport, and Kenneth Warner of Macon, Ga. A grandson, Torrence Lane of Atlanta, whom he adopted, and a brother, Charles Lane of Atlanta, also survive
His other siblings, Drewnell Keeley of Philadelphia, Maggiebell Camon of Jacksonville, Fla., and Johnie Lee Lane of Nashville, Ga., died before him, as did a son, Chester Lane Jr., who died in 1969.
A wake will be held at Calvary Baptist Church in East Hampton tomorrow from 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral will be held there on Saturday at 10:30 a.m., followed by burial with military honors at Cedar Lawn Cemetery in East Hampton.