Mr. Derrill James Chavis

On Thursday, March 12, 2015, the Angel of death took the soul of Derrill James Chavis at 2:30 a.m. After fighting a courageous battle during his declining health. James Chavis, as he was affectionately known was born on April 10, 1923 in Lee County Township of Cypress, South Carolina to proud parents, the late Barney Chavis, Sr. and Lula Alford Chavis. James was educated in the Lee County Public School System. He resided in his home town until he was 18 years old when he decided it was time to leave home to seek employment. In 1941, he moved to and worked in North Carolina. A couple years later, he decided it was time to move north where employment opportunities were much better. On January 23, 1943, he married his childhood sweetheart, Eular Lee Holmes and together they moved to Baltimore, MD. It was there that he gained employment with Bethlehem Steel in Sparrows Point as a Crain Operator until he retired. James and Eular started their family and were blessed with three (3) loving and faithful daughters, Velva D. Foster, Virginia Chavis and the late, Gloria Hester who preceded him in death. The Chavis residence was always a warm and welcoming home for anyone who stopped by just for a visit or for anticipation of a hot southern meal prepared daily by his wife and daughters. The home at 1902 E. Lanvale Street was the perfect community gathering place. James was raised in a loving caring Christian home. His parents had twelve (12) biological children of their own and raised another eight (8) children as their own in the same household. James was a former member of the Sandy Bluff United Methodist Church in Lee County, South Carolina and later joined the Eastern United Methodist Church in Baltimore, MD. James was a dedicated family man. His family was very important to him. He loved his neighbors too. He loved hats and wore many by name.....James, Jimmy, Rooster, Mr. Chavis, Daddy and Pop-Pop. James was academically blessed with great math skills and great penmanship. His favorite past time was spent watching sports and his favorite television shows,. He loved Westerns, Detective shows and family comedy shows. James leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife, Eular Lee Chavis; three daughters, Velva Foster and Virginia Chavis and Joyce Dawkins (Thomas Dawkins); grandchildren, Marcia Davis, Keyana Johnson, and Lowand Green-Scott; great granddaughters, Shavia Jones, Taijah Davis, three great grandsons, Garen Green-Scott, Gavante Green-Scott and Vincent Dawkins; five great great grandchildren, Aniyah, Amirah, Aliyah, Colvin and Kaiden; three sisters, Queen Esther Evans, Louise Hooks, and Lula Mae Hines, two sister-in-laws, Gwendolyn Banks, and Bertina Holmes, two special nephews, Thaddeus Holmes and Julius Banks, a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, friends and neighbors.

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Mr. Derrill James Chavis

April 10, 1923 - March 12, 2015