Parents: Marvin Kenneth and Maude Naomi Miller Chaffin
Spouse: Irene Jeanette Jennings Chaffin

CHARLIE JAMES CHAFFIN
1925 - April 1, 2014

Wise, Va.- Charlie James Chaffin danced into Glory on Tuesday April 1, 2014. He was born on the Johnson Farm in Rowan County North Carolina. Charlie was 89 years young.

A farmer by birth, Charlie moved to Wise in 1952 and began operating equipment on a strip job in Pound. He eventually started Chaffin Construction Company and became part owner in Sterling Mining. Charlie was happiest when he was on a piece of equipment moving earth for a purpose.

In his later years he yearned to get on a tractor or a backhoe and work the land. He was always "going to Carolina" in his mind. His family loved to hear the stories of his brothers and sister on the farm and when he told them, he was always 15 again and in a very happy place. He was of a generation that worked hard, bought and sold on a handshake, and was honest to a fault.

He was preceded in death by his parents Marvin Kenneth Chaffin and Maude Naomi Miller Chaffin; a son Darrell James Chaffin; brothers Melvin Chaffin, Roy Chaffin, Kenneth Chaffin, Robert Chaffin, Hugh Chaffin, Lester Chaffin, Marvin Chaffin, John Chaffin, and Gene Chaffin; and one sister May Chaffin Barber.

Charlie is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Irene Jeanette Jennings Chaffin, two daughters Jan Chaffin Thompson and her husband Bill Thompson of Wise, and Trish Chaffin Quinn and her husband Jim Quinn of Tampa, Florida. He had three grandchildren, Benjamin Thompson and his wife Summer Thompson, Jon Thompson and his wife Lauren all of Charlottesville, Virginia and Rebecca Thompson Perry and her husband Michael Perry of Staunton, Virginia. He got to enjoy the antics of four great-grandchildren; Presley, Benjamin, Ryland, and Sophie Thompson all of Charlottesville. He is also survived by a host of very attentive nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral services for Charlie James Chaffin will be conducted at 6:30 P.M. Thursday, April 3, 2014 at the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel in Wise, VA with Rev. Will Gipe officiating.

Graveside committal services and burial will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday, April 4, 2014 at the Powell Valley Memorial Gardens Big Stone Gap, VA.

Sturgill Funeral Home 1621 Norton Road SW Wise, VA 24293 is in charge of arrangements.