Eugene "Chick" Cauthen

Eugene Cauthen, lovingly known as Chick, was one of those people you just couldn’t help but like. Born in Lancaster, South Carolina, in 1960 to Johnnie Mae Cauthen McCain and raised by his stepfather, Thomas McCain, Sr., he was the third of seven children. Chick often said with a smirk and dry humor, “People just like me.” And he was right—because he was genuine, kind, and easy to be around.

Chick loved the simple joys of life: fishing from sunrise to sunset, catching crappies and bream, grilling in the backyard, and cheering for his favorite football team, the Chicago Bears. His all-time favorite player was No. 34, Walter Payton.

During Chick's primary years, he spent his days playing marbles and hunting birds with his BB gun. Chick attended Clinton Elementary, South Junior High, and Lancaster High schools. 

He had a generous heart and loved helping others—a trait he likely inherited from his grandma, Rosa, who would share even a single peppermint three ways. Chick was always running errands for her, probably because he knew a piece of candy was waiting for him. His love for his family was real. Chick was definitely a momma's boy. By the age of 25, he had bought a home and moved in his mother and two younger siblings. Chick always showed up for his siblings. He was only a phone call and an hour's drive away. That love grew throughout the years, welcoming love with his long-term partner, Margaret Cauthen, and gaining step-children and grandchildren along the way. Chick embraced family in all its forms, creating bonds that thrived throughout each chapter of his life.

In Heath Springs, his home as a young boy, Chick was a faithful attendee of Mount Carmel AME Zion Church's annual Camp Meeting for 65 years. The Cauthen family gathered on the land of what is now Mount Carmel since the 1870's. A proud camp-meeting regular, Chick was known for frying fish on Saturdays, with everyone eagerly waiting for the first plate to be served. Though he could be stubborn at times, Chick was a man of few words—and when he spoke, you listened.

Chick will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Left to cherish his memory are his long-term partner, Margaret Cauthen; his step-children Dianne Gibson (Patrick), Shonda Coe (Mark), and Larry Donnell Irby, Jr. (Bertha); his grandchildren Patrick Gibson, Jr. and Matthew Gibson; his sisters Rebecca Cauthen Ervin (Charles), Elizabeth A. Cauthen, and Sharetta McCain Moore; his brothers Willie Cauthen, Gregory Johnson (Tangela) and Thomas McCain Jr., and; his nieces Shaniqua Moore and Asha Cauthen Jessup (Tamás); his nephews Omar J. McSwain (Julia) and Akil J. Jessup; and a host of loving family members and friends who will forever carry his memory in their hearts.

He was preceded in death by his son, Corey Grier.

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