Richard Lee "Chip" Chipman

Richard Lee “Chip” Chipman, 78, of Moncks Corner, South Carolina, passed away Monday morning at his residence, surrounded by the community and family he loved so dearly.

Born on February 6, 1948, in Dry Ridge, Kentucky, Chip was a son of the late Tilden “Bud” Chipman and Rosella Washum Chipman. He proudly served his country as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army before beginning a career marked by dedication, leadership, and a lifelong passion for music.

After his military service, Chip worked as Human Resources Director for Wiley Manufacturing in Port Deposit, Maryland. It was there that he met his beloved wife, Myrna Wrenn Chipman. When the company later closed, Chip and Myrna returned to Moncks Corner, her hometown, where they built their life together and became a treasured part of the Lowcountry community.

Chip was the former owner of Low Country Music Center, which served musicians through several locations, including Moncks Corner and Charleston. Over time, he chose to focus his energy on teaching others the art of bluegrass, officially opening the Bluegrass Academy in Moncks Corner. Through his academy, he shared not only musical skills, but also patience, encouragement, and a deep love for the traditions of bluegrass.

A certified Martin guitar dealer and gifted musician, Chip found joy in playing music at Guy and Tina’s Bluegrass Pickin Parlor in Bethera, South Carolina, and in participating in bluegrass festivals throughout the region. For many years, he hosted the bluegrass festival in the park in Moncks Corner, helping bring musicians and music lovers together in celebration of a sound and culture he cherished.

Chip’s contributions to music and folk heritage were widely recognized. Among the many honors he received was the Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Award, and he was later inducted into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame. His legacy will continue in the many students he taught, the musicians he encouraged, the festivals he supported, and the countless lives brightened by his music.

In addition to his parents, Chip was preceded in death by his wife, Myrna Wrenn Chipman; his sister, Alma Rosalind Chipman Elliott; and six brothers, Edward “Peck” Chipman, Gene Chipman, Charles Chipman, Larry Chipman, Bobby Chipman, and Tilden Chipman, Jr.

He is survived by his daughters, Angie Barbato of Wilmington, Delaware, and Jennifer C. Gaskins and her husband, Ron, of Macedonia; his son, Chippy Chipman and his wife, Chelsie, of Moncks Corner; his brother, Rev. Howard Chipman and his wife, Rachael, of Dry Ridge, Kentucky; eleven grandchildren, Adam, Jason, Landen, Cameron, Saylor, Lynlee, Ellie, Sutton, Hayley and her husband, Hunter, Gavin, and Logan; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

His funeral service will be 2:00 PM Sunday afternoon, July 19, 2026, at the Victory Baptist Church. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM Saturday at Dial-Murray Funeral Home in Moncks Corner. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made in Chip's honor to Cole's Victory Lap, PO Box 5779, Greenville, SC 29606.

Chip will be remembered for his generous spirit, his steady kindness, and the music he so freely shared with others. His life was a melody of service, family, friendship, and bluegrass, and the songs he taught, played, and loved will continue to echo in the hearts of all who knew him.