John Woodrow Chavis

COLUMBIA - A funeral service for John Woodrow Chavis, 61, will be held at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, December 23, 2021 at Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel, with burial in Fort Jackson National Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. Pallbearers will be Mark Bonette; Scott Bonette; Paul Free; Chris Fulmer; Ray Schooler; Kris Kirkland and honorary pallbearer, Kirk Hollingsworth. Ultimate Tailgaters will serve as other honorary pallbearers. There will be a livestream of the service on Dunbar Funeral Home – Dutch Fork’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/DunbarDutchFork. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 22, 2021, at the funeral home.

Woodie Chavis died unexpectedly Sunday, December 19, 2021. Born in Georgetown, SC, he was a 1978 graduate of Winyah High School. John graduated from Milligan College in Elizabethton, Tenn., and East Tennessee State University. He served in the US Navy where he was deployed during multiple conflicts. Mr. Chavis worked as a fraud investigator for Blue Cross Blue Shield for 25+ years and he was very proud of his accomplishments. He was an avid gamer and very active in the online DDO Gaming Community. Woodie loved sports, watching reruns and talking to friends for hours about games. Music was in his blood from his mother, Wanda, and he could be heard singing almost everyday. He was a devoted Gamecock fan, a member of the Ultimate Tailgaters since the 80’s, and had season tickets for over 30 years. Woodie was a gift of Joy to all around him. He was a giver and was larger than life, our Big Dog. Although Woodie only had one biological child, he was “father” to many. He was very humorous, caring, generous, loving, and so much more to all of us. The gentle giant, our big teddy bear. He never met a stranger, and would give you the shirt off his back. He is loved by many and will be missed forever- definitely big shoes that can't ever be filled.

Surviving are his wife, Donna N. Chavis and daughter, Sarah Chavis Perozo (Roberto“Ace”), both of Columbia, SC; grandchild, Aidan Chavis Perozo; two sisters, Marie Baylor (Barry) of Andrews, SC and Samantha Burdette of Cottageville, SC; numerous nieces and nephews; and great nieces and great nephews.

He was predeceased by his mother and step father, Wanda & Hilbrand Wilder; grandparents, Charles Woodrow Moore, Gladys & Herman Winkler; aunt, Judy Watson; nephew, Lil Barry Baylor; good friends, Ronnie Greer, Iain Holt; and mentor, Eddy Oliver.

The family wishes to thank The Ultimate Tailgaters, Stephanie Mazey, Palmetto Imaging, Palmetto GBA, and all others who have supported us and will continue to support us through this difficult time.

Memorials may be made in donations to the Dunbar Funeral Home of Dutch Fork for the John “Woodie” Chavis Memorial Service. In lieu of flowers or food, donations can be made directly to the family or via Venmo (@SarahCP803) https://venmo.com/code?user_id=3433787983660199483&created=1640121627

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.