In profound sorrow we the Management & Staff of Turnbull's Funeral Home & Crematory Services announce the passing of Rudel A. Chinnery, Sr., 89, of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands who passed away Saturday, March 23, 2024.

Born on October 11, 1934, in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Rudel Alanzo Chinnery Sr. was pre-deceased by his parents, Agnes Benjamin, and Amos Chinnery; brothers Lucien Benjamin, Louis Hughes, David Alonzo Chinnery Sr., sister Carol Hughes-Lovell; wives Elsie Hill-Chinnery, Mildred Vanterpool-Chinnery; and step-daughters Eve, Edith Rose, and Vivian Nibbs. He is survived by his wife, Charlene Bastian-Chinnery; sons Sheldon Chinnery, Rudel Chinnery Jr., and step-son Johnny Nibbs; step-daughter, Denise Nibbs; sisters: Berenice Simmons and Alicia Hughes-Boatright; cousins Alexis Gerard, Ina Smith; nieces Nicole D. Hughes, Chatel A. Hughes-Anthony, Denise Lovell, Juanita Lovell, Rae Jones Browne; nephews Louis, Nick Hughes, Lorne Hughes, Kevin D. Hughes, Sr., Thomas Boatright, Richard Lovell, Elin Chinnery, Donald Chinnery Jr., David Chinnery III; mother-in-law Edris Callwood; sisters-in-law Abigail Callwood-Henneman, Jacqueline Callwood; brothers-in-law Austin Callwood Sr., Alvin Callwood Sr., Alric Callwood, and Kevin Turnbull Sr.; 12 grandchildren and other family members to numerous to mention.

Rudel led a remarkable life dedicated to service and community. In his youth, Rudel was energetic and resilient, moving in with uncle Luther Benjamin and family after his mother's passing at the age of 17 in 1953. There he worked with his uncles and cousins in Estate Hope training horses, and later worked as a steward for the VI Horse Racing Organization. He attended Charlotte Amalie High School, where he excelled in electronics and was an avid baseball player. After graduating in 1955, Rudel realized his dream of joining the U.S. Air Force where he served for 20 achieving the rank of Tech Sargent (E6). During his military service Rudel was stationed in Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, Ramey Air Force Base, Puerto Rico, Torrejon Air Force Base, Spain, and retiring from Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. He was a star player on the Air Force Baseball Team while stationed in Spain. After retiring in 1975 he returned home where he served in leadership and community-focused positions in business and both the executive and legislative branches of the VI Government. Including VITELCO (later Innovative and now Viya), the Virgin Islands Housing Authority, the Department of Conservation and Cultural Affairs (now the Department of Planning and Natural Resources), and the VI Legislature. Rudel remained active in his passion for baseball representing the VI numerous times in national and international tournaments, and managing the Virgin Island's 50+ Arizona baseball team. Rudel cherished his family and community. He was a proud member of the Memorial Moravian Church, Charlotte Amalie High School Class of '55, worked to improve the Scott Free neighborhood where he lived, and loved to travel. Rudel's commitment to health and fitness was evidenced by his superb physique well into his last days. He was an inspiration to those around him.

He will be deeply missed by his friends and family, including the Benjamin, Chinnery, Hill, Nibbs, Boatright, Callwood, Vanterpool, Thomas, and Simmons families, along with countless others whose lives he touched.