Michael Charles Chesnutt, Thomasville, passed away unexpectedly Friday morning, Sept. 11, 2009. He died peacefully at his home in the arms of his loving and devoted wife of 22 years, Martha Jane Eaton Chesnutt. He was well-loved by his family and friends, and he will be greatly missed. Mike was born May 12, 1958, in Thomas County to his biological mother, Ms. Marvann Hughes Cameron. Shortly after his birth, he was adopted by Mr. Charles Samuel Chesnutt and Ms. Christine Lewis Chesnutt of Thomasville. A native South Georgian, Mike was blessed to spend the majority of his life in Thomas and Colquitt counties surrounded by a large and supportive family. Mike graduated from Moultrie High school in 1977. He had a passion for music, played the trumpet and was active in band, FFA and various service organizations in high school. He attended Moultrie Tech and shortly thereafter enrolled in the U.S. Army. While in the army, he proudly and effectively served his country. Mike was an expert marksman and earned his airborne wings during his service. He was assigned to the Transportation Corps and served in various units in the United States and Europe. He spent an extensive time in West Germany as part of the U.S. military force assigned there and held many fond memories of his service there and the relationship he developed, such as his lifelong friendship with Mr. Allen Bowie of Abbeville, S.C. Upon leaving the military, Mike returned to South Georgia to begin his civilian career. He spent the next 20 years as a truck driver in various large and small companies. During his career, he spent extensive time on the road and was blessed to see a large part of the country doing something he enjoyed. He never lost his passion for the open road, even after health issues forced him to limit his time behind the wheel. Mike was an active member of Northwoods Church of God. He loved the Lord and cherished his time participating in services and activities with his extended family of faith. Mike was an avid outdoorsman. He grew up on a farm and always enjoyed being outdoors, hunting, fishing and enjoying nature. In many ways, he was happiest when he was in his boat on a slat flat, fishing on pond or at a dove shoot with friends and family. Mike was preceded in death by his biological mother, Ms. Marvann Hughes Cameron, and by his adoptive father, Charles Samuel Chesnutt. He is survived by his wife, Martha Jane Eaton Chesnutt, Thomasville; his mother, Christine Lewis Chesnutt Thomasville; sons, Shawn Tipton, Thomasville, Charles Michael Chesnutt, Moultrie; grandchildren, Lindsey K. Tipton, Madison Leigh Tipton, Cody Hawthorne; brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. David Gregory Chesnutt, Atlanta; niece, Mary Price Chesnutt; and nephew, Tillman Chesnutt, Atlanta. The family will host visitation this afternoon from 4 to 6 p.m. at Whiddon-Shiver Funeral Home in Thomasville. Services are at 11 a.m. Monday at Northwoods Church of God in Thomasville. Interment is at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Thomasville. Pallbearers include many friends and family. Active pallbearers will be David Vonier Jr., Lance Clark, David Baxley, Allen Fykes, James Hughes and Mitch Tanner. Honorary pallbearers will be Robert Tanner, Jeff Creech, Lonnie Wade and Mike Tipton. Ñ Whiddon-Shiver Funeral Home