Glen Chilton
Glen Helen (Arnett) Chilton joined her Lord on Oct. 12, 2020.
Services were Friday, Oct. 16, at First Baptist Church.
Glen was born Feb. 2, 1922, to Wiley Willis Arnett and Lillie Mae DeHart Arnett. She joined an older sister Myrtle Fay Arnett and was followed by two younger siblings, Peggy Arnett and Charles Arnett.
Glen attended school at Union School in the Schoolerville community in southern Hamilton County until the eighth grade, then finished her high school education in the Evant schools. Glen learned hard work and built a strong faith in God as she and her siblings helped their parents on the family farm. Glen took that work ethic and strong faith with her as she grew into adulthood, married and raised two sons.
She met a handsome farmer, Dale Chilton, one night while playing in her high school basketball game and after a short courtship, they were married on Nov. 30, 1941. This began a 68-year marriage that lasted until Dale’s death July 10, 2009.
A son, Harold Wayne Chilton, was born April 23, 1943. Soon after that, Dale was drafted into the US Army and sent to Fort Knox, Kentucky, for training. Glen once again leaned into her faith as she followed Dale and lived in a converted chicken house, meeting Dale on the weekends until he transferred to Fort Ord, California. Glen followed him to California and stayed close by, seeing him on weekend passes until Dale was shipped out to the Philippine Islands where he served his remaining time in the military.
Glen kept the home and family running in Hamilton until Dale’s return. Upon returning from military service, Dale and Glen began farming in the Star and Ireland communities. During this time a second son, Jerry Blake Chilton, was born on May 28, 1947.
In 1949, Dale and Glen realized their dream of purchasing a farm on the Cowhouse Creek in the Shive community that Glen would continue to care for and live until last June. Glen was a long-time member of First Baptist Church where her amazing cooking skills, friendly smile and contagious laugh were well known by all. She will be remembered for her love of Aggie football, her awesome mashed potatoes and angel food cake that tasted like heaven. She will be most remembered, though, for her willingness to help all who needed it, for her fierce devotion to her family and her unwavering love for God.
Glen is survived by her sons, Harold and wife Wanda, and Jerry; three grandchildren, Heath Chilton of Richardson, Blake Chilton and wife Sarah of Bryan and Jodie DeFrancesco and husband John of Dickinson; four great-grandchildren, Corban Chilton, Crew Chilton, Eden Chilton and Owen Dale Chilton; sister Peggy Jennings; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Grandson Keith Chilton preceded his grandmother in death in 2016. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Myrtle Faye Davenport, and her brother, Charles Arnett.
Pallbearers were Heath Chilton, John DeFrancesco, Mark Melde, David Courtney, Larry Smith and Larry Venable.
Memorials can be made to the charity of your choice or First Baptist Church, Hamilton, or Hamilton Public Library.
