Ernest Lee Chavis, 62, a resident of 581 Hwy 74 E., Lumberton, NC died Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Columbus County Hospital.

He was born in Guilford County, North Carolina, on December 19, 1962, to the late Earl Chavis and the late Colleen Chavis Hammond.

He is preceded in death by his two sons, Justin and Adam Chavis, his grandparents Levi and Ethel Mae Spaulding Chavis, Earnest and Bennon Hunt Chavis. He is also preceded in death by his stepfather Clifford Hammond and step grandparents Walter and Pauline Hammond.

Mr. Chavis was a Veteran of the U.S. Army. After serving in the Army, he made his trade in Sheetrock for over 30 years. He was known as Little E by his friends and he never met a stranger; he would strike up a conversation with anyone and he left an everlasting impression on everyone he encountered. He was a member of Thompson Baptist Church and a proud member of the Lumbee Tribe.

Mr. Chavis is survived by three daughters, Danielle Woods, Brandy Locklear and Samantha Chavis, a sister and brother-in-law, Kimberly Chavis Clark and Danny Craig Clark, a special Mother-Figure Ms. Mary Lois Clark, a niece, Alana LaCosta Clark, a nephew and his fiancé' Jon-Morgan Clark and Eva Locklear, eleven grandchildren, Caleb, Zackary, Adam, Jakota, Jayla Jayana, Jaylena, Jaevius, Makenzy, Rylan and Shylynn and a great-granddaughter Paislee Michellle, a great-niece Bella, aunts and uncles Cornelia Smith, Geneva Thompson, Sylvia and James Harris, Tina Chavis, Delton and Lena Oxendine, James Arnold and Jeannie Hammond and Cynthia B. Hammond, a special niece & protector Angie Brayboy, a lifelong best friend Mark Sampson, a good friend Gwen Woods, the mother of his children, Betty Doris Chavis, and a host of relatives and friends.