Chavis

*TC In firing the Rev. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. Saturday as executive director of the NAACP, the venerable civil rights organization's board of directors bowed to the inevitable and did what was necessary. Mercifully, the board acted swiftly and decisively to limit the damage.Dr. Chavis clearly had become a serious liability to the group he headed. Having embroiled himself in controversy over his financial management of the organization and charges of sexual harassment and discrimination, he made his own credibility an issue that overrode all other concerns, including the new course he had set for the NAACP's future.

What happened to Chavis Carter? It is a pregnant question, potentially even an explosive one. Carter died of a gunshot wound to the temple on the last Saturday in July, but the question about his death has only grown louder and more urgent since then. It is beginning to gather national attention. So we need an answer soon, either so that suspicions can be put to rest and some imperfect peace achieved, or so that suspicions can be validated and some equally imperfect justice sought.

NAACP Executive Director Benjamin Chavis needs to come clean about why he committed nearly a third of a million dollars of his organization's money to settle an action brought by a former employee who claims she was a victim of sexual harassment and gender bias on the job.Mr. Chavis insists he has done nothing wrong. But that is not enough. An official who holds a position of public trust not only must do nothing improper, he must avoid even the appearance of impropriety. Leaving aside, for the moment, the merits of the allegations against him, Mr. Chavis, by his own actions, has seriously undermined the credibility of the organization he heads.

The Ravens announced today that they have waived cornerback Bryan McCann and promoted outside linebacker Chavis Williams from the practice squad to their 53-man roster. Williams (6 feet 3, 227 pounds) signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in July. He played four seasons at Alabama, making 17 tackles in 33 career games. The Ravens' linebacker depth has been challenged with Prescott Burgess going on season-ending injured reserve with a torn abdominal muscle Tuesday, and Dannell Ellerbe sidelined with a hamstring injury.

1993April 9 -- The Rev. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., 45, is named NAACP executive director, the seventh in the association's 84-year history. He goes immediately to Los Angeles and spends five days in Watts housing projects awaiting a verdict in the Rodney King civil rights case.April 30 -- Attends a "peace summit" of current and former street gang members in Kansas City, Mo.June 3 -- Promises that "in the not too distant future" the NAACP will have more than 1 million members, up from the 500,000 currently claimed.

On December 11, 2005, WILLIAM SMITTY CHAVIS; beloved husband of the late Shirley Ann Jones; dear son of Dorothy Chavis and the late Britton Chavis; loving father of Tiffany Chavis and Tammy Jones; cherished grandfather of Brendan Tichy. Also survived by five brothers and four sisters. Preceded in death by one sister. Friends may call at the family owned David J. Weber Funeral Homes P.A., 5311 Edmondson Ave. on Wednesday from 3 to 9 P.M. With services at 8 P.M. Interment private.

Ms. BETTY D. CHAVIS of Violet Avenue. On Monday, Family Hour at 11 A.M and Celebration at 11:30 A.M., in Howell Funeral Home, 4600 Liberty Heights Avenue. Service entrusted to HARI P. CLOSE FUNERAL SERVICE, P.A., 5126 Belair Road, (410) 327-3100.

On May 21, 2009, Lois L. Chavis A funeral service will be held at the CONNELLY FUNERAL HOME OF ESSEX, 300 Mace Avenue on Wednesday at 1 P.M. Visiting hours Tuesday 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. Interment Holly Hill Memorial Gardens.

On October 4, 2006, VERA P. CHAVIS CURTIS; beloved wife of the late Jim Curtis. She is also survived by a very devoted son, James Curtis and two loving daughters, Wilma Petti and Peggy Keller; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; she is the beloved great-grandmother of Andrew Lee Curtis; two sisters, Edna Oxendine and Kizzie Hunt; several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. Family will receive friends 1 to 5 P.M. Saturday. Roman Catholic Prayers at 4:15 P.M. at the Wesley Chavis Funeral Home, 2007 Eastern Avenue.

Firing the Rev. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. as executive director of the NAACP was the only course left for the venerable civil rights organization when its board of directors met Saturday night. Dr. Chavis clearly had become a liability and a burden to the group he headed. Having embroiled himself in controversy over his financial mismanagement of the organization and charges of sexual harassment and discrimination, the issue of his personal integrity overrode all other questions, including the new direction he had set for the NAACP.

On May 21, 2009, Lois L. Chavis A funeral service will be held at the CONNELLY FUNERAL HOME OF ESSEX, 300 Mace Avenue on Wednesday at 1 P.M. Visiting hours Tuesday 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. Interment Holly Hill Memorial Gardens.

Ms. BETTY D. CHAVIS of Violet Avenue. On Monday, Family Hour at 11 A.M and Celebration at 11:30 A.M., in Howell Funeral Home, 4600 Liberty Heights Avenue. Service entrusted to HARI P. CLOSE FUNERAL SERVICE, P.A., 5126 Belair Road, (410) 327-3100.

On January 21, 2008 BARBARA ANN KEISER. Viewing will be held on January 29, 2008 from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. Wake January 30, 2008 10:30 A.M. Funeral Services 11 A.M. on January 31, 2008 at Chavis Funeral Home, 2007 Eastern Blvd. Baltimore, MD 21231.

On January 27, 2008, EDRA devoted partner of Elizabeth Phillips. She leaves to mourn one sister, Leilah Duncan; three brothers, and a host of other relatives and friends. Family will receive friends 6 to 8 P.M., on Thursday. Services 7 P.M. Interment private. Arrangements by Chavis Funeral Home, 2007 Eastern Avenue.

April 30, 1936-November 8, 2007. Survived by Sis, two grandsons, Mr. T. and Peanut, five sisters, one brother and friends. Viewing will be held Wednesday, 3 to 7 P.M., at Wesley Chavis Funeral Home, 2007-9 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore. Please omit flowers.

On August 20, 2007, DANIEL N. JAKUBIAK; devoted father of Christopher Jakubiak and his wife Elizabeth, Michael Jakubiak and his wife Sheila, Michelle Chavis and her husband Michael, and Brian Jakubiak and his wife Michelle; loving grandfather of Natalie and Anna Jakubiak, Andrew and Jada Jakubiak, Michael, Mark and Madison Chavis; dear brother of Chester Jakubiak, Helen Cesenaro and Elizabeth Taylor. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the SCHIMUNEK FUNERAL HOME OF BEL AIR, INC., 610 W. McPhail Road (at Route 24)

On October 4, 2006, VERA P. CHAVIS CURTIS; beloved wife of the late Jim Curtis. She is also survived by a very devoted son, James Curtis and two loving daughters, Wilma Petti and Peggy Keller; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; she is the beloved great-grandmother of Andrew Lee Curtis; two sisters, Edna Oxendine and Kizzie Hunt; several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. Family will receive friends 1 to 5 P.M. Saturday. Roman Catholic Prayers at 4:15 P.M. at the Wesley Chavis Funeral Home, 2007 Eastern Avenue.

There's the guy who did drugs, did time and fathered a bunch of kids with a bunch of women before going straight. And there's the guy who nearly became a priest. His biggest bad-boy moment: saying some not-nice things about his homeboy, George W. Bush. Which one of these U.S. Senate candidates wins the hip-hop vote? If Russell Simmons is right, the seminary beats the street.