Chattman Lenard "Chat" Word I, 47, of Interlachen (former Palatka resident), entered the sunset of life as a result of injuries sustained in a jet skiing incident in the Gulf of Mexico (at Crab Island) Destin, FL during a family vacation on Saturday, May 22, 2021.  "Chat" was the son of Reverend Roosevelt Word I and Verdess Brown Word. A native of Orlando, he was born on Thursday, September 20, 1973. He was educated in the Osceola County FL School District and concluded his high school education requirements with the Carl D. Perkins - State of Kentucky Job Corp, whereby receiving his diploma, October 6, 1993. On March 5, 1996, he enlisted in the United States Army, and due to health reasons, he received a medical discharge several months later. "Chat" attended trucking school and successfully completed the course, becoming a certified over the road carrier.  He was an entrepreneur who owned and operated EDCO Trucking Company.

On September 5, 2003, "Chat" united in holy matrimony to Arnetta Faye Styles in Palatka.

"Chat" was a handsome young man with many words who maintained a deep love for his family. He spoke directly from his heart. His vibrant entertaining style was guaranteed to make you smile. His love was unconditional. Although he experienced countless challenges, he held his head high. He worked hard and enjoyed himself with the same magnitude. Most of all he believed the Holy Scriptures, especially, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16.

In addition to his father, he was preceded in eternal rest by his daughter, Darrika R. Word; grandson, Jacquez Johnson, Jr.

His loving memories will live on in the hearts of his: wife , Arnetta Faye Styles Word; mother , Verdess Word, Villa Rica, GA; children , Jodeci R. Word, Chattman L. Word II, Da'Shun L'Frank Word, Dierra Kaymore; sister , Terral (Allen) Word-Hardy, Villa Rica, GA; brother , Roosevelt (Pamela) Word II, Montgomery, AL; granddaughters , Jourdyn "Grand Princess" Houston, Journey Kaymore; aunts , Rose Mary Holt, Harvietta Phillips, Willie Mae Landry, all of Kissimmee; mother-in-law, Pastor Linda Hall; brother-in-law, Dr. Aaron Hall; sister-in-law, Myra Styles; 3 stepsons , all of Palatka; uncles , Emory "Jack" Brown, Palm Bay; Jessie Lee Brown, Kissimmee; nephews , D. Chris (Erika) Collier, Allen M. Hardy, both of Atlanta, GA; Roosevelt Word II, Orlando; Carlos Eubanks, Montgomery, AL; nieces , Cassy Tritley, San Antonia, TX; Breiana L. Hardy, Villa Rica, GA; Whitney (Daman) Word-James, Shunteria Jones, both of Sanford; Jasmine French, Montgomery, AL; 13 great nieces, 7 great nephews; god - mother , Linda Lewis, Kissimmee; and a multitude of cousins, friends and very special loved ones, especially: Joseph Lewis, II, Latrice Lewis, Crystal Riley, Tawanda Murphy,  Tamaurya Murphy and Linda Eubanks.

CDC guidelines will be followed for the visitation of family and friends from 4:30-6 p.m., Friday, June 4 at "Flagg's Chapel of Serenity." Celebration of Chat's Life will be 2 p.m., Saturday, June 5 at the Putnam County Fairgrounds Pavilion, 118 Fairgrounds Road, East Palatka. Reverend Brian Word, Mt. Zura Baptist Church, is the eulogist. Interment will be in Oak Hill West Cemetery.