Joan H. Chafin

Joan Hackney Chafin was born June 22,1930 in Anniston, Alabama. She grew up in Anniston and graduated from Anniston High School in 1948. Afterwards she attended Jacksonville State University where she met her future husband James Robert Chafin, who was a star on the football team. They were married on August 21, 1951. She graduated with a degree in History from Jacksonville State in 1951.

In 1952, the couple moved to Montgomery, Alabama where James served in the Air Force at Maxwell Air Force Base. They would live and work in Montgomery for the next 61 years. In 1954, Coach Chafin got a job coaching at Sidney Lanier High School, and later moved to be part of the coaching staff of the new Robert E. Lee High School.

Joan faithfully supported her husband’s coaching career as a homemaker and mother. God blessed them with a daughter, Cindy, in 1952 and a son, Jim, in 1954. Their lives were involved in attending sports events and many years of traveling to out-of-town football games. While at Robert E. Lee, Coach Chafin won five state football championships.

The family were active members in Morningview Baptist Church. At Morningview , Joan taught VBS for many years and was a teacher of high school seniors in Sunday School. She organized and ran the church’s Welcome Center for over 20 years. For many newcomers to Morningview Joan’s smiling face was their first impression of the church.

After a brief teaching career, Joan went to work as an Administrative Assistant to Morris A. Burkett. She organized the law practice for over 20 years. Joan enjoyed putting up and storing the bounty of vegetables from Coach’s gardens. She also enjoyed playing board games with her neighbors for many years.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, James, who graduated to Heaven on June 27, 2020 and her son in law, David Dykes. She is survived by her daughter, Cindy Dykes, of Tyler, Texas and son Jim Chafin, of Montgomery, Alabama. She was deeply loved by her three grandchildren, Jenni Holman, Laura Grace Dykes, and Robby Chafin. She had the joy of seeing the birth and accomplishments of them and her seven great grandchildren.

The family would like to express our appreciation for the wonderful workers at Prestige Estates and Hospice of East Texas for the love and care they provided for Mrs. Chafin. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that a donation be made to Hospice of East Texas.

A private graveside service will be held on May 27, 2026 at Cathedral in the Pines Cemetery.