Charlena Hunt Chewning

Charlena Hunt Chewning, a counselor, coach, mentor and friend, died on July 22, 2021 at the age of 89.

Miss Chewning was born on August 17, 1931 in Wadesboro, N.C., to Lula Hunt Chewning and David Earl Chewning Sr. She graduated from Chesterfield High School and Coker College, where she was a standout basketball player. She earned a master’s degree in counseling from Appalachian State University and had a distinguished career as a guidance counselor and girls’ basketball coach at St. John’s High School, where she led the team to State Championships in 1970 and 1972.

Miss Chewning’s life calling was to coach, guide and inspire others to be their best selves. Students, friends and family were blessed by her wisdom and generous support. She enjoyed getting to know people, reading, her Hardee’s breakfast bunch, dogs, boiled peanuts, and beach trips with her cherished friends, “The Coker Nuts.” She adored her mother, whose cheeky humor generated many a belly laugh. Above all, she loved the Lord.

In addition to her parents, Miss Chewning was predeceased by her brother, David Earl Chewning Jr.; her sister, Barbara Chewning Griggs; niece Harriet Griggs Huntley and great-nephew Will Huntley. She is survived by two nieces: Cherin C. Poovey of Winston-Salem, N.C., and Beth C. Deacon (Dan) of Chapel Hill, N.C.; a nephew, Jimmy Griggs (Jurai) of Thailand; and several great-nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. on Wednesday, July 28, at Belk Funeral Home in Darlington. The service will follow at 11:30 a.m. in the chapel with Rev. Jeff Cockrell and Rev. Tim Coker officiating. Interment will be in Chesterfield Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to the Class of ’53 Endowed Scholarship Fund, Coker University, 300 E. College Ave., Hartsville, SC 29550, or to the Darlington County Humane Society, P.O. Box 503, Darlington, SC 29540.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Charlena Hunt Chewning, please visit our floral store.