Janet Tinsley Chappell, also known as Nanny to her family, age 92 of Vanleer, TN, passed away peacefully at her home on December 3, 2025, with her family by her side. She was born in Cumberland Furnace, Tennessee, and was the daughter of the late Ernest and Claralene Workman Tinsley.
Janet was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Joe Chappell, in 2013; her daughter, Debbie Michael Williams; her brother, Tom Tinsley; her sisters, Gladys Tuberville and Mary Ruth Fleet.
She attended Charlotte High School and worked for twenty-plus years as a seamstress with the former Red Cap Industries. She was a member of Faith Baptist Church.
Nanny was all about family, her late husband, her children, her grandchildren, her great-grandchildren, sibling, and nieces and nephews. She loved her family as they loved her. Janet had a great love for gospel music and spent many hours watching Family Feud and the Andy Griffith Show. In her earlier years, Janet loved camping with family and friends.
In the kitchen, she was known for her chocolate gravy over biscuits and plain cake, her chocolate fudge pies, and was best known for her comfort food, including her special fried “taters”.
Survivors include her children, Gary Michael (Debra) of Kingston Springs, TN, Ricky Chappell (Patti) of Dickson, TN, Randy Chappell of North Carolina, Mark Chappell (Tiffany) of Burns, TN, Sue Jenkins (Jerry) of Vanleer, TN, Wanda Chappell of Dickson, TN and Tammy Chappell of Clarksville, TN; bonus child, Michael Tidwell; her brother, Lewis (Buck) Tinsley (Peggy); Grandchildren, Nickolaus Michael, Brian Michael, Kayla Franklin, Emily Schreiber, Lindsay Chappell, Brooke Giordano, Tabitha Kirby, Richard Kirby, Garrett Chappell, Dana Stephans, Matt Jenkins, Caleb Chappell, Carter Chappell and Bebra Michael; also surviving are her 28 great grandchildren; and her 4 great- great grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 12 Noon from the Bethel Baptist Church. Pastor Randy King and her son Ricky Chappell will officiate. Visitation will be at the church beginning on Friday, December 5th, at 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and will continue Saturday, beginning at 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. The place of rest will be in the Vanleer Cemetery. https://taylorsince1909.com
Those desiring, memorials are suggested to the Gideons.
For more obituaries, visit https://dicksoncountysource.com/obituaries/
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