DENNIS VERNON CHASTAIN

PICKENS — Dennis Vernon Chastain, 73, loving husband for 46 years to Jane Fields Chastain, died peacefully and unexpectedly in his sleep at home on Nov. 21, 2025.

Born on Oct. 4, 1952, in Greenville, Dennis was the cherished son of the late Artis and Sarah (Canham) Chastain.

Dennis grew up in Slater, in what he believed to be the best place and the best period of time. He earned his B.S. and Master’s degrees from Winthrop College, where he met Jane, the love of his life. He lived his adult life on his family’s homeplace near Table Rock, where his ancestors have been deeply rooted since 1796. He was honored to be the recipient of Upstate Forever’s Extraordinary Achievement Award for his more than 40 years of work as a writer, historian, botanist, guide and conservation advocate.

Dennis was an award-winning outdoor writer, historian, tour guide and interpretive naturalist. He wrote feature articles for many years for South Carolina Wildlife Magazine and other publications. He led tours and field trips for Clemson’s Master Naturalist program and several other groups. He made a number of important discoveries, including wildflowers never recorded in Pickens County, the remnants of long-forgotten roads and Native American trails and numerous prehistoric rock carvings on Pinnacle and Table Rock mountains. Dennis was once described by The Greenville News as a “modern-day Daniel Boone.”

Dennis was the Blue Wall Vice President of the Pickens County Historical Society, a member of the Pickens County 250 Committee and a member of Upstate Forever.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Jane Fields Chastain; his sister, Dorothy Chastain Cantrell; his brother and sister-in-law, David and Patricia DuBose Chastain; and his niece, Laurie Chastain.

In addition to his parents, he was recently predeceased by his nephew, John Chastain, on Nov. 16.

An informal “gathering of family and friends drop-in” to celebrate Dennis will be held at the Heritage Pavilion at Hagood Mill (138 Hagood Mill Road, Pickens) from 2-4 p.m. Dec. 6.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Dennis’ memory to Hagood Mill Foundation, P.O. Box 98, Pickens SC, 29671; or to the Pickens County Historical Society, P.O. Box 775, Pickens SC, 29671.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Chastain family.

JOHN COKE SMITH, III

EASLEY — Mr. John “JC” Coke Smith, III, 73, husband of Jerrilu Kirk Smith, passed away Monday, Nov. 24, 2025.

Born in Anderson, JC was a son of the late John Coke Smith, Jr. and the late Mary Allen Smith. He graduated from Wren High School in 1970 and attended Clemson University where he proudly played football. Mr. Smith was the third of four generations of Registered Land Surveyors at Smith Surveying established in 1909. An ordained Deacon, Mr. Smith was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, where he served as a Sunday School Teacher. He was a member of The Rotary Club of Easley. Mr. Smith was fluent in German, and enjoyed traveling to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Surviving, in addition to his wife of 52 years, are his son, John Coke Smith IV (Jennifer) of Easley; a daughter, Libby Smith Holliday (Andy)