James "Goat" M. Chestnutt

James Milton Chestnutt affectionately known as “Goat” was born on August 13, 1958, in Sampson County to John David Chestnutt and Mollie Kerr Chestnutt.

Goat answered the Masters call from this earthly life on September 7, 2026, at Bladen County Hospital.

Goat completed his education in the Sampson County School System and later attended Job Corps where he completed the Culinary Arts Program. Goat was later employed in the Logging Industry. When he was a young child, he joined Pilgrim Rest Church of Kerr Station and remained a lifelong member until his death.

Goat is preceded in death by his parents, John David and Mollie Chestnutt, siblings, Johnny Chestnutt, Mary Murphy, and Annie McNeil.

Goat loved his family! He was a family man. He held a special and unique bond with his brother, Wayne Chestnutt, his niece Claudia “Blossom”, and Mike Blount, also the love he expressed to his great-nephews, Bakeem, Jaheim, and Hakeen Murphy.

Goat leaves to cherish his precious memories his siblings, Willie “Buster” Chestnutt of Garland, NC, Lovet Chestnutt of Wallace, NC, Glenda Mathis of Clinton, NC, Annie Owens of Roseboro, NC, Wayne Chestnutt of Fayetteville, NC, and brother-in-law, Cloddie Murphy of Harrells, NC, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends. 

The Viewing will be held on Friday, September 11, 2026, from 1:00-6:00 PM, with the family present from 5:00-6:00 PM, at Carter Funeral Home, 111 N. Ingold Ave., Garland, NC.

The Funeral will be at 4:00 PM, Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church, 9364 Wildcat Road, Ivanhoe, NC.

Burial will be at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church Cemetery, 240 Pilgrim Church Road, Harrells, NC.