Dr. Lenard Chavis

Augusta, GA - Dr. Lenard Chavis, age 78, of Augusta, GA, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, November 30, 2014, after a long struggle with his health and a recent hospitalization. A celebration of life service will be held on Wednesday, December 3, 2014, at 11:00 AM from Lumpkin Road Baptist Church, 2540 Lumpkin Rd, Augusta, GA, with Reverend Ed Chavis and Reverend Jim Stady officiating. He will lie in state for one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Park. Born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, he graduated from the Academy of Richmond County in Augusta in 1955, and from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO, in 1958. He faithfully served the Lord in full-time Christian service for over 52 years, including pastorates in Albany, GA, Summerville, GA, New Castle, DE, Amarillo, TX, and most recently at the Lumpkin Road Baptist Church in Augusta, where he pastored for 32 years. He also served as the associate missions director of the Baptist Bible Fellowship International, and taught classes at Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO. He also served several terms as the state chairman of the Georgia Baptist Bible Fellowship. He was known by many for his skill as a chalk artist, his rich baritone singing voice, his wise counsel, and his sense of humor. He was preceded in death by his son, Kevin Len Chavis; his mother, Louise Chavis Garner; and his brother, Lenzo Chavis. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jean Parker Chavis; his daughter, Kim Chavis (Jim) Stady; his son, Reverend Ed (Brenda) Chavis; his grandchildren, Jordan Stady Connell, Kameron Stady, Debbie Chavis Lee, and Steven Chavis; and two great grandchildren. Active pallbearers will be John Sheridan, Howard Willis, Buddy Taylor, Charles Cowart, Bill Inman, Earl Haygood, Forrest Woods, and Ronnie Crouch. Honorary pallbearers will be the pastors of the Georgia Baptist Bible Fellowship. If so desired memorial contributions may be made to the Lumpkin Road Baptist Church, 2540 Lumpkin Rd, Augusta, GA 30906. The family will receive friends Tuesday, December 2, 2014, from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Chance & Hydrick Funeral Directors, 2502 Richmond Hill Rd, Augusta, GA 30906.

Dr. Lenard Chavis

December 1, 2014