Chester E. Sansbury

The memorial service for Chester Everett Sansbury, 81, of Columbia, will be held on Tuesday, April 25th, 2023 at McGregor Presbyterian Church (6505 St. Andrews Road, Columbia, SC 29212) at 3 p.m. The Reverend Robyn Garrison will officiate. The family will receive friends at the church following the service. Colonel Sansbury will be inurned at Fort Jackson National Cemetery in a private ceremony at a later date with full military honors. Chester was born on February 17, 1942, in Charleston, SC, and passed away April 21, 2023. He was the son of the late Hazel Sansbury and Eunice Marshall Sansbury. He was a graduate of St. Andrews High School and earned both Bachelor's degree and Master’s degrees in Biological Science from the University of South Carolina. Chester retired after 28 years from the SC DHEC while serving as the Assistant Director of Water Quality. Obtaining the rank of Colonel, he proudly served 26 years in the United States Air Force Reserves where he commanded two of the largest Associate Reserve Squadrons at Charleston Air Force Base. In 2000, Col. Sansbury was recognized by the Members of the Senate of the South Carolina General Assembly for his years of dedicated service to protecting the environment of South Carolina. Chester was a life long environmentalist and enjoyed spending time with his family. He was a man of faith and followed Christ’s example of helping and serving those in need. When not trying to make the world a better place, you could find him in his backyard tending to his bluebirds, planting in the garden or playing cards with his wife. His family will fondly remember his whit and dedication to each one of them. He was a wonderful story teller and recently published a book documenting the adventures of his childhood in Charleston. Chester is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Anella (Andrews); his daughter, Cynthia Thelen, and her husband, Eric of Raleigh, NC; son, Stephen Sansbury, and his wife, Liza, of Columbia; grandchildren, Ryan and Jack Thelen, Ellison and Baker Sansbury. He is also survived by his sister, Betty Rowland; and his brother and sister-in-law, Marshall and Dotty Sansbury, and his brother, John Paul Sansbury and several nieces and nephews. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to: McGregor Presbyterian Church (http://mcgpres.org/giving or The Coastal Conservation League (https://www.coastalconservationleague.org/). The family of Chester E. Sansbury thanks everyone for their acts of kindness and sympathy during the passing of our loved one.