Charles Douglas "Doug" Chavous, 86, of Columbia, died Sunday, October 12, 2014. Born in Allendale, SC November 4, 1927, he was a son of the late Clarence Crawford Chavous and Leila Bryan Chavous. He graduated as Valedictorian from Allendale High in 1945 and then earned his BS in Pharmacy at The University of South Carolina. His career was extensive; working first in his brother's Forest Hills Pharmacy, and returning to retail pharmacy after serving his country in the US Air Force. His career included 20 years with Hawthorne Pharmacy in Columbia and 20 years with DHEC and the SC Board of Pharmacy (SCBP), retiring in 1994 as SCBP Executive Director and Chief Drug Inspector. His ties were deep with The University of South Carolina Pharmacy School where he enjoyed teaching as a Compounding Lab Instructor from 1971-78 and from 1994-2003 and as a resource and instructor for the Palmetto Poison Control Center.
He was a member of the Fifth District Pharmacy Assoc, the American College of Apothecaries, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), and a honorary life member in the SC Pharmacy Assoc (SCPA).

Always active, Doug served on the Governor's Task Force on Prescription Drug Abuse, and helped organize the South Carolina Recovery & Intervention Pharmacist Team (SCRIPT), where he served as counselor and primary contact for over 18 years. His professional accomplishments brought him many awards, including the Robin's Bowl of Hygeia, MS&D Outstanding Achievement in Profession, USC Pharmacy School Distinguished Service Award, Honorary President of the NABP, and one of his favorites-Capstone Area Outstanding Teacher.
He also participated on the steering committee and helped organize the first State of SC Stop Polio Campaign. He served as a pharmacist and as a member of the Advisory Board of the Columbia Free Medical Clinic. He continued exhibiting his concern for others by working with the Baptist Hospital Overview Committee, Habitat for Humanity, the USC College of Pharmacy Advisory Committee, and Meals on Wheels. He was a member of Trinity Methodist Church in Blythewood where he enjoyed singing with the OASIS Choir, presenting programs that put smiles on the faces of residents of nursing homes.

Though his work kept him busy, some of his fondest memories were coaching his sons' baseball teams to four championships in Forest Acres Little League and watching his daughter in her dance recitals. Our "PePop" later enjoyed playing with his grand-daughters with Barbie Dolls and allowing them to dress him up in their dance costumes, and also playing Hot Wheels and attending all his grandchildren's sporting events. Over many years, he lovingly shared his talent of wood carving with his children by presenting each one a beautifully detailed 16 piece nativity. He would also go on to carve each child a Santa Claus and tree ornament each Christmas, as well as two Snoopy Christmas scenes. In 2005 he received a red ribbon at the SC State Fair for his hanging carving of a palmetto tree. He gained much pleasure sharing with friends and family his 120 piece Dickens Village Collection which he displayed each year on a handmade platform under the Christmas tree. He and Lillian loved to dance and travel and he kept his mind alert with his daily crossword puzzle.
Doug enjoyed and deeply believed in helping and encouraging others.. He always had a good story, joke or trivia question for those he encountered. His family time was special as he played first with his children and then his grandchildren. After his final retirement from pharmacy, he was affectionately known as the "Official Hugger" at Maggie's Market in Blythewood.
He was married to his wife, Lillian Buechel Chavous for 63 years. Their love for each other and their family was strong and everlasting. He was a long time Gamecock fan and took Lillian to the Carolina-Clemson game on their first date.

Survivors include his wife, Lillian Buechel Chavous; children, Charles D. "Chuck" Chavous, Jr., wife, Lori of Atlanta, GA, Larry C. Chavous, wife, Rebecca of Columbia, and Janice Chavous Hodges of Leesville; grandchildren, Lizzy Chavous, Jess Chavous Lawrenson, Maggie Chavous, Ben Hodges, and Josh Branham. In addition to his parents, Mr. Chavous was preceded in death by his brothers, George Warren, Fleming, Clarence Crawford and, Alfred.

A Celebration of Life Service for Mr. Chavous will be held at 3 o'clock, Thursday, October 16th at Trinity United Methodist Church, 90 Boney Road, Blythewood. The family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall following the service. A private burial will precede in Fort Jackson National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105 or to Trinity UMC Older Adult Ministries, PO Box 864, Blythewood, SC 29016.