Mrs. Mary (Alice) Strickland Chavis (86) of Oak Grove Church Road passed away peacefully on October 12, 2025 at home surrounded by family, after a lengthy illness. Mrs. Mary was born in the St Anna community of Robeson County on November 18, 1938 to the late Jepthy Patrick (JP) and Mattie Bell Strickland. 

She was preceded in death by her parents and in-Iaws Henry and Louise Chavis, her only son Keith Chavis, her husband of 60 years, Huey T. Chavis; 4 sisters Jessie Mae Locklear; Martha Cummings; Margie Spaulding; and Nancy Strickland; 3 brothers Waymon Jones, Andrew Strickland; and Jeffrey Strickland.

Mrs. Mary leaves to cherish her memory, 2 daughters Mirian Chavis and Shannon C. Vick; a daughter-in-law Pattie Chavis; 2 grandchildren Ashley Chavis and Kieran Chavis Hunt; 2 great-grandchildren Karleigh Madelyn and Brysen Keith; 3 brothers Kenneth Strickland, Harris Strickland and JP Strickland; and a host of relatives of multiple generations, including Mr. Huey’s large family. 

While raising a family and managing Mr. Huey’s drywall business, Ms. Mary earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in early childhood education from UNCP.  Mrs. Mary taught in Robeson County Schools, primarily at Pembroke Elementary School, for decades, retiring in 2000.  She would often grade papers at the kitchen table, saying, “this child can do better”.  She supported each of her 3 children in earning multiple college degrees and certifications (including HVAC, electrical, political science, law, chemistry and bio-med).  Education was priority in that household.  Mrs. Mary encouraged everyone she encountered to pursue their educational dreams without delay.  She routinely encountered former students who remembered her fondly over the years and thanked her for being a great teacher.  In retirement, Ms. Mary cared for the young ones in the family including her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Mrs. Mary began attending Evergreen Holiness Church in 1961 and continued until her health declined in 2022.  She taught the youth class and served as church secretary for almost 45 years. 

In later years, Mrs. Mary and Mr. Huey were able to work less and fish more.  Whether from the Holden Beach pier or in the boat, having a fishing pole in the water while the spots were biting was one her favorite places in life, to put it mildly.  Also, thanks in great part to her brother Kenneth’s encouragement, they traveled more.  Short trips to the beach or mountains turned into Caribbean cruises and road trips, including a leisurely drive to Missouri and an adventurous drive through Alaska.