Dennis Vernon Chastain

Dennis Vernon Chastain Pickens, South Carolina Dennis Vernon Chastain, age 73, loving husband for 46 years to Jane Fields Chastain, died peacefully and unexpectedly in his sleep at home on November 21, 2025. Born on October 4, 1952, in Greenville SC, Dennis was the cherished son of the late Artis and Sarah (Canham) Chastain. Dennis grew up in Slater, SC, in what he believed to be the best place and the best period of time. He earned his BS 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 11-16-2025. 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) on Saturday, December 6 from 2-4 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Dennis’s memory to Hagood Mill Foundation, PO Box 98, Pickens SC, 29671; or to the Pickens County Historical Society, PO Box 775, Pickens SC, 29671. Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Chastain family.

Dennis Vernon Chastain

October 4, 1952 - November 21, 2025