Martha Rose Burton Chapman

Originally from Windsor, VA., Martha Rose Burton Chapman, 65 passed away on February 18, 2025. She lived in Salinas and Bakersfield, CA for more than 35 years before retiring to Oak Island, NC in 2021.

Martha was born February 26, 1959, in Suffolk, Virginia, daughter of the late Ashby Jeffries Burton, Jr. and Barbara Ann Rose Burton.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 40 years and the love of her life, Norman Chapman; a stepson, Brian Chapman; a sister, Bobbie Burton; a brother, Jeff Burton (Paula); a nephew, Ashby Burton and sister-by-choice, Nancy Joel.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a stepdaughter, Diana Chapman.

Martha graduated from Windsor High School in Windsor, Virginia and continued her education at Norfolk General Hospital School of Nursing in Norfolk, VA. She was a lifelong Registered Nurse serving in many capacities from home health to disease infection prevention in Salinas and Bakersfield, CA. Most of her career she served in leadership roles and was highly respected by fellow nurses, doctors, and support staff. Her role just prior to retirement in 2021 was as the Infection Prevention Specialist at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital-Dignity Health. There, she led her team of healthcare professionals through the Covid pandemic.

Personally, Martha was well known for her creativity in painting, needlepoint and in later years, wood carving following in her father’s footsteps. Her skills were respected on the golf course, in scuba diving, and cruising with her husband on her own rose-colored Harley Heritage Softail, named Charlene in honor of her lifelong best friend.

Charlene Herrala’s memorial description captures Martha’s essence: She was so precious to so many of us. She lived life with everything she had and then some. She carried on her dad’s carving legacy and developed other talents she never dreamed she’d have. She traveled. She loved hard. She was a blessing to others in so many ways.

Martha had friends all over the country from all the above aspects of her life. She was known for her friendliness, kindness, sense of humor and devotion to family and friends.

In addition to her family and many dear friends, Martha was devoted to her dogs, currently Dixie and her beloved rescue beagle, Maybelle.

Memorial contributions may be made at Triangle Beagle Rescue of NC, 13200 Strickland Road, Suite 114-287, Raleigh, NC 27613 or online at tribeagles.org.

In accordance with her wishes, no services will be held.

Online condolences may be made at www.peacocknewnamwhite.com

Peacock – Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service, Southport, North Carolina.