Eugene Austin Chewning

Eugene Austin Chewning

Eugene Austin Chewning, 84, of Arrington, died on Sunday, June 27, 2010, at his home after a brief and courageous battle with cancer.

Eugene was born on February 7, 1926, a son of the late George W. Chewning and Sophia Cash Chewning. Following the death of his mother at three years old Eugene, along with his brother and three sisters, made their home with the late William F. and Eva Giles Adams of Roseland.

Eugene served proudly in the United States Army overseas from March 1944 until his honorable discharge in May of 1946. He married his wife, Doris Lee Huffman, in October of 1946. He worked at Dominion Mineral Company in Piney River until 1949. He and his family then relocated to northern Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina. After years of residing out of state, the family relocated to Nelson County in 1952. He was then employed with Keith M. Baker and Company from 1952 until 1955. He then went to work for Mr. Elgin Clarkson at the former ESSO Service Station from 1955 from 1965, then Mr. Ned Saunders in the Colleen Community and continued employment with Nancy and the late Jerry Saunders at the now Colleen Exxon and Deli Center until he became ill and was unable to work. He was and member of Nelson United Methodist Church and was very active in the Church Merger and served on the Trustee Board from 1979 until 1982. He was a member of the VFW Post 7701 of Arrington and a charter member of the Lions of Nelson.

Eugene is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 64 years, Doris Lee Huffman Chewning; two sons, Ronnie Chewning and his wife, Charlotte, of Palmyra, Mike Chewning and his wife, Joyce, of Lovingston; one brother, Riley Chewning and his wife, BeBe, of Henderson, North Carolina; four grandchildren, Michele Maddox of Amherst, Brian Chewning of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Jessica Robertson of Waynesboro and Melissa Watson of Shipman; eight great- grandchildren, Cameron and Landon Maddox, Hannah and Caleb and Jacob Robertson, Ashlynn, Aden and Taylor Watson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by three sisters, Mary C. McKenna, Sophia C. Driskill and Syble C. O'Connell; and a half brother, Bruce Chewning.

Eugene touched many lives during his lifetime and loved being with and spending time with his family and friends.

The family would like extend a special thanks to Adams family especially Eva, Nancy and Jesse whom he thought the world of and also Pastor Debbie Powell of Nelson United Methodist Church, Alice Stewart, Nancy Saunders, Amanda Tyree, as well as all the surrounding churches for their prayers and support. The family suggests that memorials take the form of contributions to the Nelson United Methodist Church building fund and Hospice of the Piedmont, 675 Peter Jefferson Parkway, Suite 300, Charlottesville, VA 22911.

A funeral service celebrating Eugene's life will be held 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 1, 2010, at Nelson United Methodist Church with Pastor Debbie Powell officiating with Interment at the Centenary Memorial Cemetery in Arrington. The family will receive friends at the church following the service.

Arrangements by Wells/ Sheffield Funeral Chapel of Lovingston 434-263-4097.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.