In Celebration of the WELL LIVED Life of Deacon Eddie Chaffin, Sr.
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount
up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk,
and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
On December 29, 1928, Eddie Chaffin, Sr. was born to the late Willie Chaffin,
Sr. and Allie Jennings Chaffin of Victoria, Virginia. Eddie was the fourth son
of twelve children, ten sons and two daughters. Eddie completed his high
school curriculum and eagerly joined the workforce after a brief trip to Balti-
more, Maryland. He quickly discovered that the city life was not for him. He
was the only avid hunter, fisherman, and trapper in his family and he did all
three WELL. Eddie married the love of his life Mary Magdalene Randle on
November 24, 1948; they celebrated 66 years of marriage before God called
her home. To this union four children were born: Eddie, Jr. (Jack), Patricia
Ann (Pat), Allie Marie (Riddy), and Mary Elizabeth (Liz). Eddie and Mag
also raised her sister’s child, Jo-Ann Casey, who they embraced as a daughter
and the children loved as a sister. Eddie’s greatest loves and successes in life
included his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; a loving
husband, caring Pops, and doting PaPa.
Eddie started his religious training at the Mt Olive Baptist Church, Victoria,
Virginia. He started his walk to be a Deacon in 1969 and was ordained in Jan-
uary of 1971. He was recently named Deacon Emeritus. He was the Church’s
Financial Secretary for many years. He served Mt. Olive WELL. He also
joined the Evergreen Benjamin #131 Masonic Lodge in June of 1950 where
he had held the post of Past Master. He was a diligent worker always seeking
to provide for his family. He worked at Burkeville Veneer, for W. W. War-
singer Construction, at Sunny Slope Orchard for over 20 years, and for over
40 years at Buffalo Shook in Farmville, Virginia, as a master saw operator.
His life’s philosophy was “If a task is once begun, never leave it ’till it’s done.
Be the labor great or small, do it well or not at all,” Eddie DID IT WELL! His
commitment and work ethic he shared with all of his children, grandchildren
and great-grandchildren.
Eddie was preceded in death by his parents, Willie and Allie Chaffin, six
brothers, Willie Jr. (Sallie), Garfield, LeRoyal, Russell (Addie), Cloyd, Davis
and two sisters Elnora, and Lillie (Wilbur). He leaves to cherish the memories
of his life his four devoted children: one son, Eddie, Jr. (Hester), of
Burkeville, Virginia, three daughters, Patricia Chaffin Ellis of Glenn Allen,
Virginia; Allie Chaffin Yarbrough and Mary Chaffin Francis, both of
Burkeville, Virginia; and niece, Jo-Ann Casey Robinson of Charlotte, North
Carolina: three brothers: Eugene, Walter (Donna), Wavly (Louise) all of Vic-
toria, Virginia; four sisters-in-laws Jenetha Randle of Columbia, South Caroli-
na; Gloria Chaffin of Baltimore, Maryland; Marie Chaffin of Crewe, Virginia;
and Cleo Chaffin of Victoria, Virginia; ten loving grandchildren: Shane
(David) Anderson of Moseley, Virginia; Maurice (DeLinda) Carter of Ches-
terfield, Virginia, Eddie (Antoinette) Chaffin of Farmville, Virginia; Holly
Simmons of Moseley, Virginia; Travis (Melissa) of Cumberland, Virginia;
James Yarbrough II, Jason Randle Yarbrough, Ashely Victoria Francis, Allie
AnnDrea Yarbrough, and John Francis III, all of Burkeville, Virginia; seven-
teen precious great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, oth-
er relatives, and friends.