Converse Alvah Chellis III

The former South Carolina State Treasurer Converse Alvah Chellis III passed away Sunday, June 14, 2026 after a fierce battle with cancer. He was 82 years old. A visitation will be held on Wednesday June 17, 2026 from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Parks Funeral Home, 130 W. 1st North St. Summerville, SC 29483. The funeral service will be on Thursday June 18, 2026 at 11:00 am in The Summerall Chapel, at the Citadel, 171 Moultrie St. Charleston, SC 29409.          

Converse was born August 10,1943 and raised in Summerville, SC. He was a successful businessman, politician, and former captain in the U.S. Air Force. He graduated from The Citadel in 1965 with a BS degree in Business Administration and completed his post graduate work in Accountancy from the University of Georgia in 1969.

Converse’s career began as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). He and his father founded and managed the Chellis & Chellis Accounting firm in Summerville for over 30 years, merging with Gamble Givens and Moody around 2000. He was active in several professional organizations, including the South Carolina Association of CPAs and the American College of Forensic Examiners.

In addition to his career as a Certified Public Accountant, Converse was a well-respected politician by both Republicans and Democrats across the state. He served in the South Carolina House of Representatives (1996–2006) where he represented the 94th District (Dorchester County). He chaired the House Rules Committee and the Business and Commerce Committee, and served on the Labor, Commerce & Industry Banking and Consumer Affairs Committee. Converse also held leadership roles in local and state organizations, including: Chairman of the State Board of Accountancy (1990–1993); President of the Summerville Chamber of Commerce (1976); and Past Treasurer of the Lowcountry Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association. Converse was also an active member of the Summerville Rotary Club and Sertoma Club. He was the recipient of several awards over the course of his career including the SC “Friend of the Taxpayer Award”, Summerville Chamber of Commerce Businessman of the Year, Outstanding Service to the Accounting Profession Award, and the Palmetto Patriot Award.

He was an outdoors enthusiast who loved to play golf, hunt and fish, but his greatest passion was watching the Summerville GreenWave football team every Friday night, and The Citadel football team, every Saturday. He was an all-star football and track athlete in high school and college and received a football scholarship to The Citadel where he started as a Running Back. He was also a member of the Summerville High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

Above all, he was a faithful member of the Methodist Church where he served in leadership roles, taught Sunday school, and attended church service every Sunday. Most recently, he became a founder of the Summerville Methodist Church, which renewed his faith in God from his formative years as a young Methodist attending camp at Lake Junaluska. He was predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Sharon H. Chellis, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Converse A. Chellis, Jr. (Adurline). Surviving are his two children, Tiffany C. Ellington (John Carter) of Florence, SC and Converse A. Chellis IV “Con” (Tara) of Summerville and 5 grandchildren: Mary Chellis Ellington, Kinsley Chellis, John Carter Ellington, Jr. “Carter”, Converse A. Chellis V “Quin”, and Hayley Chellis. Also surviving are his siblings: Stephen M. Chellis (Susan) of Summerville, James E. Chellis (A’delle) of Summerville, Mary Ann Stoddard (Allen) of Spartanburg, and a sister-in-law, Sandra H. Bubbert of Houston, TX; as well as, 9 nieces and nephews, and 15 grand nieces and nephews.  

Arrangements will be coordinated by Parks Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Summerville Methodist Church: https://onrealm.org/summervillemethodist/-/form/give/memorial or mailed stating his name to P.O. Box 839 Summerville, SC 29484.

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