Lumberton
Mr. James W. Chavis, 89, of 249 Lonnie Farm Rd, Pembroke, died Wednesday, October 7, 2009, at home. He was preceded in death by: His wife of 67 years, Sister Luverdia Chavis; five brothers: Willie Lee Chavis, Roosevelt Chavis, Alfred Chavis, Lacy Chavis and HiWallace Chavis and two sisters: Zadie Ray Locklear and Sylvania Locklear.
Mr. Chavis was born on January 12, 1920, to the late Leander and Mary Liza Chavis. He was a founding member of Tabernacle Baptist Church and the Chairman Deacon of Tabernacle Baptist Church from 1952 until Dec. 2004. He loved his church and his church family dearly. Brother James served in World War II from Dec. 13, 1942 until Dec. 10, 1945 when he received his discharge from service with the rank of PFC. He was a lifetime member of the VFW of Pembroke, NC and the Disabled American Veterans Commanders Club. After his Honorable Discharge from the Army/Air Force, he went to school to study Agriculture at Philadelphius. Brother James was well known, until his retirement, for growing top quality flue cured tobacco as well as growing some of the largest and sweetest Congo grown watermelons around as well as other types of produce. Brother James and the late Sister Luverdia opened their home to over 50 family members and friends over the years that needed a place to stay. Many of these people looked to Brother James and Sister Luverdia as their other set of parents.
The funeral will be conducted 3:30 pm Sunday, October 11, 2009, at Tabernacle Baptist Church with the Revs: Dr. Mike Cummings and Henry Oxendine officiating. Burial will follow in Lumbee Memorial Gardens in Lumberton, N.C.
Surviving are his daughter Mable C. Jones (Mable’s Beauty Salon) and her husband Dexter of Pembroke, and his son Kelly Ray Chavis & his wife Rosalyn of Rowland; four granddaughters: Carla M. Locklear, Kelly Kye Smith both of Lumberton, Telena Hunt and Pandora Chavis both of Rowland; two grandsons: Christopher L. Locklear & his wife: Shannah of Winston-Salem and Melvin “Matt” Locklear & his wife: Tisha of Lumberton; thirteen great-grandchildren and a host of family and friends.
The visitation will be 7-9 p.m. Saturday, October 10, 2009, at Locklear & Son Funeral Home and family will be receiving visitors at the home also, 249 Lonnie Farm Rd, Pembroke, NC.
We, the family of James W. Chavis would like to thank all of you who have expressed your condolences to us, and we hope that a part of her spirit will live on in you. May God richly bless each of you as he has us by allowing her to be a part of our lives for so many years!
Online condolences can be made at www.locklearandsonfuneralhome.com.
