Page 18 - Robeson Living Summer 2021

LRDA Pages 1-34 6/14/21 9:19 AM Page 8

Stephanie Velicity Strickland Chavis
GRAND MARSHALL
was born in Robeson County, on April 5,
1965, to the late Ray Strickland and wife
Pandora, of Pembroke. Her mother was
an Educator and her father was a Law
Enforcement official. She has one sibling;
Michelle Strickland. Stephanie was

married to the late Delwood Chavis, and
they had two daughters, Anya ShaLee
and Kristen Mataya. She is blessed with
three grands; Xavier, Aloysius and Adelyn.

Stephanie was one of the members of
the last graduating class of Prospect
High School, Class of 1983, just before
students had to begin attending Purnell
Swett High School. After graduating from
High School, Stephanie continued her
education at Pembroke State University, Stephanie Velicity Strickland Chavis
now known as UNC-Pembroke. She when she was promoted to Director of
graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management and County

Criminal Justice. Since the University Fire Marshal.
was established in 1887, the school
celebrated its centennial in 1987. With Stephanie is one (1) of six (6) female
Stephanie graduating in the Pembroke Emergency Management Directors and
State University Class of 1987, she one (1) of three (3) female Fire Marshal
became a part of history, along with the in the state of North Carolina. She is
other graduates, who signed a document the only female Lumbee Indian to hold
which was placed in the wall of the these positions in North Carolina. She
Student Center, to be opened in the is responsible for planning and leading
year 2087. the responses to natural disasters and
other emergencies. With Hurricane
Matthew in 2016 and Hurricane Florence
Stephanie began working for Robeson in 2018, Robeson County was exposed
County Emergency Management as to devastation not seen in 50 + years.
secretary in 1988 and later moved over Stephanie served as the lead first
to the Fire Marshal’s office in 1992 to responder in both incidents. She has
fill the position as Fire Inspector and served her county for more than 30
Fire Investigator. Stephanie continued years and has a deep love for God,
to work as Fire Inspector and Fire family, her job, the citizens and
Investigator until November of 2013 especially first responders.

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