Christopher Chafin

Dr. Christopher Neil Chafin, 58, passed away peacefully in faith after a brief battle with cancer on January 25, 2021 with his wife, Phyllis Jefferson Chafin, by his side.

He was born July 13, 1962 to the late Robert Neil Chafin and Emily Mae Councilman. After graduating from R. J. Reynolds High School in Winston-Salem, N.C. in 1980, he graduated from Wake Forest University in 1985 with a Bachelor’s in Psychology, where Chris was a brother of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He married the mother of his children, Elizabeth Anne Isley, on October 16, 1993. He continued his education at NCSU, earning a Master’s of Counselor Education and Doctor of Philosophy.

Chris met Phyllis as a teenager while growing up in Rocky Mount, NC. The two have an inspirational love story, separated for years before reconnecting and reigniting the spark that burned bright enough for it to be visible to everyone they encountered. They were married on June 8, 2013. They found their best friend “Deacon”, a German shepherd, together in December 2015.

Throughout his professional career, Chris wore many hats. He was constantly looking for ways to better himself and the community and worked in many different positions throughout the years that extended help to anyone in need, whether they were asking for it or not. At his most recent position, he was the Director of Counseling and Student Disabilities at Guilford Tech Community College in Jamestown, NC. His relationships with students energized him, and always has. He sought to better himself and helped to instill the same quality in his students and colleagues. Leading by example and teaching future leaders was his passion, Chris had a natural gift of inspiring his students to create a community of good will and to recognize their ethical compass in order to foster integrity and inspire others to do the same. His light continues to shine in his students and in the peers that they will pass it on to.

Outside of his work, he indulged in his competitive side, playing putt-putt with his friends and garnering attention at National PPA tournaments up and down the East Coast, winning Player of the Year in 2020. He loved spending time with his family, whether attending Tedeschi Trucks Band concerts or Wake Forest games, getting too much sun on the beach in Cherry Grove, SC, or ritually watching Jeopardy or Saturday Night Live. Any time he could spend with friends and family, he was the first to reach for it.

Ashley, his daughter, reflects: “As a kid, my dad taught my sister and I about magic. He consistently pushed us to realize all the wonders in the world. He would take every opportunity to show us the different ways to see the magic. From theorizing about my love of Harry Potter to the way he convinced us that we could change the radio stations in his car from the back seat with nothing but the warmth of our hands and the willpower in our hearts, he encouraged us to believe that anything was possible. As a child, I marveled at his wisdom, always so sure that the magic he told us about was real and was out there for us to find. As a young woman, I now see that he was the magic; he was the light. His love for us was overwhelming and unyielding, and everything that we needed it to be. He helped us become the young women we are, and his magic will have a lasting effect on the women who we will grow to be.”

Chris is survived by his wife Phyllis, his daughters Ashley Chafin (Ryan Facer) of Winston-Salem and Alex Chafin of Wilmington; his sister Betsy Chafin Kye (Mitch) of King; niece Erin Kye and nephew Pierson Kye; his step-mother Martha Chafin of Winston-Salem; step-brothers Rick (Carole) Murray, Tom (Perrin) Murray; step-sister Cassi (John) Ragsdale; step-sons Wesley Roberson, Matthew Roberson, and Logan Roberson; granddaughters Leann, Avery, and Natalie Roberson; cousins Leah Ravenel (Tommy) and daughter Sarah Ravenel of Winston-Salem; Dede McClure of Marshall, VA; and countless cousins, friends, students, and colleagues that were fortunate enough to have him as a part of their lives.

In lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund has been set up in his name at Guilford Technical Community College. The “Dr. Chris Chafin Memorial Fund” will provide scholarships for students pursuing the Human Services Technology Substance Abuse Concentration Associates Degree or the Substance Abuse Treatment Certificate. To contribute memorials, please go to https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=ZVF3BGAWYV4UN

A memorial service will be held at a later date.