Morris J. Chavis

Morris J. Chavis was born Oct. 12,1931 in Springfield, Orangeburg County to the late William Clifton and Rosa Lee Chavis. He passed away peacefully at his home on Oct. 25, 2025.

Papa was a devoted, hard-working, and loving husband to “Mrs. Lillie” who he was married to for 75 years. You didn’t get one without the other. They were inseparable and when Jesus took her home 17 weeks ago, papa couldn’t live without her. They left behind a Legacy.

Papa was a cook in the National Guard. He was a “mover and a shaker” with boundless energy and liked to joke around with people, he never met a stranger. Papa was the “salt of the earth.” He worked with his hands and faced the elements to provide for his family doing HVAC work. He was a sub-contractor and foreman who held his team to high standards. “Chae” as he was known on the job, expected the work to be done right. He was honest and fair to the men that worked for him.

But his most passionate role in life was the years he spent as an Evangelist, preaching Gods’ word. He had a heart for the lost and wanted everyone to know Jesus. He understood the Almighty power of Jesus’s saving grace and mercy. He unapologetically lived out his convictions. Papa taught us to set our priorities straight, that God cared about our character and not our resume, and to lean on Jesus through all seasons of life. He was always present. He taught us to live honest, hardworking and happy lives. To find joy in the work and enjoy that cup of coffee. To look around and see all the wonderful things God has done and hope in what He’d do next.

Papa was the original “photobomb”, He was loud, proud, and gave us a “fire “for life- full of grit and determination and a mischievous grin. Sugar boy, we love and miss you. We know you are rejoicing with Nana and singing with her in the choir. “Probably dancing too.”

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lillie E. Chavis and sons, Morris Chavis Jr. and Horace Chavis.

He is survived by his children: Doris (John Wyatt) of West Columbia, Dorothy (Wayne Rouse) of West Columbia, and John (Donna Chavis) of Gaston; grandchildren, John Jr. (Cori Wyatt) of Gaston, Sherry Wyatt of West Columbia, Terry (Matt Harding) of West Columbia, Crystal (Doug Berley) of Little Mountain, and Rickey Jacobs Jr. of Lugoff; great-grandchildren, Tyler Wyatt, Austin Hankins, Meagan Berley and Dillon Harding; brother, Raymond; and sisters, Pansy and Normalee.

A memorial service to honor Mr. Chavis’s life will be held Saturday, November 1, 2025 at the Caughman-Harman Funeral Home – West Columbia Chapel, 820 West Dunbar Road, West Columbia, SC 29170. The family will receive friends and loved ones beginning at 10 am with funeral service to follow at 11 am. The service will be officiated by Reverend Raymond Haynes Jr.