Mary Louise Smith Chapman was born May 19, 1926 in Monticello, Florida to Mary and Daniel Smith. Mary attended Florida A&M University and later moved to Buffalo, New York where she met her future husband John Wesley Chapman. The two married on January 23, 1954 before moving to Denver. With this union was born their only child, Bruce Edwin Chapman.
Mary loved The Lord with all her heart and had a close personal relationship with Jesus. Her daily regimen included reading the Bible and the Daily Word. This relationship helped her overcome a brain aneurysm, breast cancer, and kidney disease. She also impressed upon Bruce the absolute power of prayer and was a long time member of Scott United Methodist Church having joined the church, along with her husband, in 1956.
Mary loved traveling with her husband and friends to many places around the world, with a special love for Africa, Australia, Brazil and China. She was a homemaker and was very accomplished in sewing; making clothes, draperies, even upholstery. Her other talents included crocheting, knitting, pottery and crafts. She loved wearing her Bronco jersey and cheering the team on, hardly ever missing a game. Celebrating their wins and fussing when they lost.
She and her husband made homemade beer and wine and spent much time entertaining family and friends. Developing one’s mind was important to her; she worked as a librarian, started a home library, and enjoyed crossword puzzles. Also she was very active with all levels of the PTA including being on the Colorado PTA Board of Directors. She was insistent that Bruce take school seriously, and was beyond proud when he graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Mary will be missed by her son, Bruce as well as her closest nieces Priscilla, Lynn, Deb, Mae and many other nieces and nephews and her “adopted children”, Karen and Clemmie, close friends Jan Taylor and Cathy Jordan and many others.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John W. Chapman of 58 years and 4 brothers; Julius, Moses, Robert, and Daniel “DL” and 5 sisters; Julia, Bessie, Agnes, Emily, and Maggie, where she was the youngest of ten.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Juventino Saavedra, the nurses and her many home care providers.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 14, 2019 at 10am, followed by the funeral service at 11am at Scott United Methodist Church (2880 Garfield St., Denver CO 80205). Burial will take place at Olinger Chapel Hill Cemetery in Centennial CO.
A message of condolence may be left at www.olingerchapelhill.com
