Gerald Chavis

Brother Gerald Chavis was born on April 2, 1956 in Thornton, Arkansas to John Henry Land, Sr., and Christeen Chavis Brown. He was reared by Christeen and Earnest Brown.

He was educated at Calhoun County High School and was a 1975 graduate of Thornton High School. Shortly after graduation he enlisted into the United States Army.

Gerald was an employee of the Bearden Lumber Company and Georgia Pacific. He was a “jack of all trades” who specialized in auto mechanics. George was always energetic and never met a stranger.

After a period of time Gerald united with the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Thornton, Arkansas under the leadership o Rev. J. C. Owens where he remained until his death.  

Gerald passed from this life on Wednesday, March 25, 20q0 at the Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Henry Land, Sr., and Christeen and Earnest Brown; a brother, Dossa Brown and two sisters, Diane Land and Natalie Land.  

Memories will remain with his fiancé, Marilyn Finks of New Edinburg, AR; three sons, Eric Chavis of Little Rock, AR, Marcus Dawn of Bearden, AR and Lamar Chavis of Brinkley, AR; one daughter, Janelle Chavis of Little Rock, AR; four grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren; his bonus children, Darrell Finks, William Knight, III., Nicholas Robinson, Darrell Robinson and Valerie Robinson all of Fordyce, AR; five brothers, Roxsell (Wanda) Chavis, James (Rosie) Brown both of Fordyce, AR and Rickey (Frankie) Brown of Bearden, AR; seven sisters, Erma Brown and Gwen Scott both of Thornton, AR, Andrea Brown of Fordyce, AR, Dorita (Lloyd) Robertson of Warren, MI, Cassandra Land and Sonya Land of Detroit, MI and Charmaine Land of Inkster, MI; one uncle, Deacon Clarence (Janelle) Chavis of Thornton, AR; his step-mother, Jimmie Doris Land of Detroit, MI; three god-daughters, Kalesha Johnson of Camden, AR, Vanity Jones of Benton, AR and Melody Harris of Fordyce AR; and a special cousin he loved as a sister, Rachel Wilson of Detroit, MI. He also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, special friend, Rejoice Harris of Fordyce, AR and several other friends.

A walk-through visitation will be shared from 12 noon until 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 608 Cashman Dr., Thornton, AR. Due to the COVID-19 virus and the nature of the death, we must insist that no lingering will be allowed after you have paid your respect to the family, we ask that you leave so others may have the chance to enter the church. Williams Funeral Home Van Buren, 119 Van Buren Street, Camden, Arkansas. 870-836-11212, Pallbearers honorable to mention are Deacon Bobby Cornelius, Gary Collins, Gwayne Jordan and Donnal Willison.

Submitted by The Chavis Family