Dempsey Chapman

Visitation will be on Wednesday, May 16 at Connally-Compton Funeral Directors from 6-8pm. The funeral service will be on Thursday, May 17 at Connally-Compton at 10:00am.

Dempsey was born on August 19, 1921 in Kosse, Texas to Ben B. Whitlow and Nora Ella Webster. She was the youngest of 7 children. She graduated from Kosse High School in 1940. In July of 1942 she met Robert E. Chapman and married him 3 weeks later on August 1, 1942 in Abilene, Texas. They were devoted to one another and would have celebrated 70 years of marriage this coming August.

She was happy to be a wife, mother and homemaker. Baking was one of her passions. In 1969 she attempted to enter the Pillsbury Bake Off contest in 1969. We will miss her holiday pies, especially the chocolate. Hospitality was important to her. She was always anxious for her guests to be comfortable. She was a member of Beverly Hills Baptist Church at the time of her death. Formerly she attended Kendrick Lane Baptist Church where she taught children’s Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.

Dempsey was preceded in death by her husband, Robert E. Chapman on January 13, 2012; daughter, Karen Sue Chapman; brothers, T.B. Whitlow, G.M. Whitlow, and Woodrow W. Whitlow; and sisters, Hattie Bell Whitlow, Mabel L. Thompson and Rita M. Whitlow.

Dempsey is survived by her son, Robert E. Chapman, Jr. and wife Sandra of Hewitt; granddaughters, Amanda E. Sutherland and husband Richie of Vancouver, Washington and Amy L. Chapman of Waco; great grandchildren, Ethan R. Chapman of Waco and Ella E. Sutherland of Vancouver, Washington; nieces, Jane Brewer of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Peggy Acker of Mesquite, Texas, Linda Hall of Taylor, Texas, Barbara Jackson of Mesquite, Texas, Sandra English of Forney, Texas; and nephews, Jack Whitlow of Virginia Beach, Virginia, David W. Whitlow of Lorena, Texas, Gary W. Whitlow of Waco, Texas; various grand-nieces and nephews.