George Chiddie

The Reverend George Amos Chiddie, 90, of Asheville, NC, went to be with the Lord September 12, 2018. He was born in Forsyth County, to the late Dewey Fleat and Flossie Myers Chiddie. His family attended Advent Moravian where as a teenager he felt called to ministry. He graduated from Moravian College and Theological Seminary in 1953.

In the fall of 1952, he met Jean Oehman at Moravian Youth Camp in Brevard, NC. They were married on April 18, 1953. In succeeding years, they served pastorates at Providence, King-Mizpah, Leaksville and Bethesda, and New Philadelphia. During these years George served many times as dean of junior camp, both at Camp Hanes and later at Laurel Ridge. He also was a leader in beginning the outdoor camping program at Laurel Ridge.

In 1984 George and Jean felt called to mission work and served two Moravian congregations in the US Virgin Islands. During the twelve years of ministry in the East West Indies Province, George is remembered for founding brass choirs, including the Trombone Choir, which still exists today at the New Herrnhut Congregation. He also was privileged to mentor four West Indian men who were ordained as pastors.

In 1988, George and Jean returned to North Carolina and served at Pine Chapel Moravian, retiring in 1997. During his retirement years, he taught computer science at Forsyth Community College, as well as serving as interim pastor for a number of congregations, notably St. Phillips, Bethabara, and Friedland. He also returned to his love of woodworking and created beautiful furniture for his wife and family. In 2008, George and Jean moved to the Asheville area to be close to their children.

He is survived by his wife of sixty-five years, Jean Oehman Chiddie; daughters, Belinda (David) Winkle, Beth (David) Gregg, and Susan (Paul) Babelay; sister, Barbara (Charles) Mecimore; and the following grand-children and great-grandchildren: Shannon and Joe Hernandez with Isabelle, Claire and Wyatt Brooks with Eliana and Koah, Julie Hutchinson with Meleah, Nasir, Triton and Rayma, Stefan and Rachel Hutchinson, with Lexy and Vikki, Cindyl and Molly Hutchinson, Hannah Watkins, and Elizabeth and Rebekah Babelay.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at Brooks-Howell Home, 266 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville NC, 28801 with son-in-law, Dr. David Winkle officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either Pine Chapel Moravian Church, 324 Goldfloss Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27127. Or, The New Herrnhut Trombone Choir, New Hernhut Moravian Church, St Thomas 00802, USVI.