Melvin Clarence (“Chip”) Posey Jr. departed this life on Thursday, September 3, 2026, in his home surrounded by family. He was born in Florence, Alabama, on June 10, 1944 to Clarence and Elizabeth Posey. Dr. Bennett declared him “a chip off the old block,” and the nickname stuck.
Chip graduated from Mars Hill Bible School in 1962 and from David Lipscomb College (now Lipscomb University) in 1966. He was a member of Alpha Kappa Psi fraternity.
He began his career as a teacher and coach at Flat Rock School in Jackson County, Alabama, and then moved to Madison Academy in Huntsville where he continued to teach and coach for four years.
He married Brenda Lancaster on December 27, 1968, and they returned to Florence in 1972, where their children Janet, Michael, and Carrie were born. He joined the family business Posey Furniture Company with his father and brother. During that time, he served as president of Downtown Florence Unlimited. He continued working until the store closed, but continued his career in furniture at Story & Lee Furniture in Leoma, Tennessee, until his retirement in 2024.
Throughout his life, Chip was an active member at Sherrod Avenue Church of Christ, where he served as a deacon, worked with the youth, and coached church league basketball for more than thirty years. He continued to serve as a greeter and usher. He also served on the board at the North Alabama Christian Children’s Home, where he mentored several children throughout the years.
He was preceded in death by his wife Brenda Posey, his parents Clarence and Elizabeth Posey, his sister Susan Hunnicutt and her husband Richard.
He is survived by his daughters Janet Posey of Gainesville, Georgia, and Carrie Simpson (Bill) of Huntsville, AL; son Michael Posey (Sasha) and granddaughters Harper, Eleanor, and Fiona of Millbrook, AL; brother Richard Posey (Nancy) of Brentwood, TN, and cousins Knox Longshore, Johnny Posey, C.W. Posey, Rebecca Bradley, and Sara McDonald. He is also survived by nieces and nephews, and he was considered Papa Chip by great nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 12:00–2:00 at Sherrod Avenue Church of Christ, followed by a memorial service.
The family will then attend a private burial service at Greenview Memorial.
Serving as pallbearers are Bradley Gooch, Kent Brown, Van Stack, Gary Chowning, Russell Wood, Larry Collins, Jay Isom, and Roy Story. Elders and deacons of Sherrod Avenue will serve as honorary pallbearers.
The family gratefully acknowledges Dr Reinke, Dr. McFall, and NAMC ICU (2200 unit).
Memorial gifts may be made to the American Heart Association and Sherrod Avenue Church of Christ.
