Guyton, Ga. — Mr. Eugene Lester Chavis, age 87, passed away peacefully on Friday February 22, 2019, at the Ogeechee Area Hospice Inpatient Facility in Statesboro. Eugene was born in Rincon, Georgia to the late Govan and Lottie Chavis. He met Mattie Ellis from Brooklet, Georgia, the daughter of the late Lonnie and Ettie Lott Ellis, and the two soon married. For several years they made Savannah their home, later moving to Rincon for a short period and then to Guyton. Eugene was a dedicated employee of Porter Contracting, where he worked from the age of 17 until his retirement at the age of 70, as a heavy equipment operator. He was a member of the Operators and Engineers Union. His wife Mattie worked as a Registered Nurse in Savannah at Candler and Memorial Hospitals. The two of them were active in the Boy Scouts of America Troup 165 and 665.

He enjoyed his time spent with his family camping and fishing. Eugene loved socializing at the local park pond. As a skilled carpenter, he spent many hours crafting beautiful pieces of work for his family.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Mattie and his loving daughter Susan Tarrant.

Surviving are his two sons and a daughter-in-law, Larry and Deidra Chavis of Bluffton, SC and Dwayne Chavis and Stephanie Watson of Lady Lake, FL; his grandchildren, Terry Jordan, Miranda (Jay) Youmans, Crystal (Vince) Austin, Jessica (Austin) Webb, Reannah (Joey) Zaborowski and Danial Chavis and six great grandchildren.

He will be laid to rest on Sunday at 2 p.m., during a graveside service at Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery. The Reverend Ricky Allen will officiate.

Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com.

Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home & Crematory of Statesboro is in charge of the arrangements.

Statesboro Herald, February 24, 2019

Sign the Legacy online guestbook at www.statesboroherald.com.