Chris Martin Proveaux

Chris Martin Proveaux, RN, CNHP, MH, ND, HN-BC, age 71, entered Hospice care April 2020 and, with wife by his side, went home to be with The Lord on May 6^th, 2021.

     Chris was born in Bamberg, SC on October 22, 1949. He has resided in Wagener, SC, with his loving wife, from 1999 until the time of his death.

     He was a jack-of-all-trades. From his first career as a meat cutter, he also worked as a painter, carpenter, sandblasting & coatings, to eventually becoming a nurse (RN). His nursing career was filled with many specialties, Trauma ER and Critical Care, and finally settling in the specialty of Holistic Nursing. Due to dealing with his own personal health struggles, he and his wife did their research. That search resulted with Chris earning degrees as a Certified Natural Health Professional (CNHP), a Master Herbalist (MH), as well as a Doctorate in Naturopathy (ND), and lastly becoming nationally board certified in the specialty of Holistic Nursing (HN-BC).

     Chris was the embodiment of Daniel Boone. His passion for the outdoors brought him great joy. He loved hunting, fishing, shooting, golfing, building, driving his tractor, and sharing all this knowledge with the next generations. He forever had several projects in the works at one time, always needing something to occupy his endless energy.

     He spent most of the entirety of his 71 years in some form of ministry. From teaching Sunday School, bus ministries, nursing home ministries, the medical mission field, church plantings, to prison ministries, and his favorite type of ministry was singing. He was a gifted Southern Gospel singer, spending years with the Shepherd’s Quartet and later The Brazell’s. Chris was always that guy that sang at everybody's wedding or funeral. Each time he opened his heart and his mouth to sing, tears of the listeners began to flow, as he operated in his divine gift.

     Chris’ true desire was to serve The Lord in every aspect of his life. And nowhere in his life did that shine through brighter, than in his family life. Devoted husband to his soul-mate for 23 years; loving father, brother, and uncle; absolutely infatuated grandfather; and proud great-grandfather would prove fine examples of his beliefs. Any interaction with Chris’ tender, loving, demeanor and infectious laughter, and one would know immediately that type of joy could only come from The Lord. We can all be confident that Chris was greeted with the words “Well done, good and faithful servant” and that he is worshiping at the feet of Jesus. Heaven got a little louder and a little more lively when Chris Proveaux arrived.

     “No eye has seen, nor ear has heard, nor the heart imagined, the things which God has prepared for them that love Him”- 1 Corinthians 2:9

     Chris was preceded in death by his father, Favion Proveaux, Jr., his mother, Dorothy Dyches, and his brother-in-law, Thomas Brazell.

     He is survived by his loving wife, Ellen Proveaux, sons; Chris (Carmen) McLean, Chad (Emily) McLean Proveaux, and Lee Proveaux, sisters; Ramona Brazell, June (Billy) Brazell, and Heather (Jason) Hutto, brother; Brett Proveaux, brother-in-law; Kelly (Beverly) Parrish, along with a huge family with numerous nephews, a niece, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Chris believed family is stronger than blood, and blood is not required to be family. As such, he also leaves behind: brother in love; Ted White, daughter in love; Brittany Davis, sons in love; Chris Davis, Chris Bergeron, and Matthew Yoder, as well as numerous grandchildren in love.

     A special thanks to youngest son, Lee Proveaux, for placing your career on hold to come home for the last year to care for your parents. They have been in awe of your devotion and loyalty. Chris frequently praised and constantly expressed how proud of you he was, regarding your choices to place family as the highest priority in your life. Thank you for being willing to take over life for your mother, freeing her, to give Chris her undivided attention this last year. May The Lord bless your future for your heart of servanthood.

     Ellen and Lee would like to thank our friends and family for all that you have done for us during this last year while Chris was on Hospice. We thank you for every meal, gift of money, songs & playing the piano for Chris, scripture reading, prayers, calls and texts of comfort and concern, and all the love and hugs. We love and appreciate you all for your compassion and care. We also would like to thank Compassionate Care Hospice & Shellhouse-Rivers Funeral Home for the care and understanding during our difficult times.

     Visitation will be held at Shellhouse-Rivers Funeral Home in Aiken, SC Sunday evening, May 9^th from 6 until 8 o’clock.  Funeral services will also be held at Shellhouse-Rivers Funeral Home Monday afternoon, May 10^th at 2 o’clock. The service will be livestreamed on the funeral home Facebook page at (https://www.facebook.com/srfhandsfh) .  Due to numerous friends and family with chemical sensitivities, please no colognes or perfumes, so that those with sensitivities may participate. In lieu of flowers, cards and donations may be sent to family.

SHELLHOUSE – RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC