Loretta Joan Chapman

Joan was born in Pueblo, the daughter of Walter and Mildred Smith. Her beauty awarded her “Baby Monarch of 1935”. The title came with a trophy, and to her young children’s horror, a nude side picture.

After graduating from Central High School, she married in 1952 at the age of 17.

Shortly thereafter, she found herself married to a soldier at Fort Gordon, Georgia, “The hottest place on earth”, and had their first child, Donald Eugene Jr.

After two years in Georgia, the young family returned to Pueblo. In addition to Donald Jr. (wife May), Joan had four more children. David (wife Neina), Douglas (wife Faith), Cheryl Marvin and Darrel (wife Mandy).

In Pueblo Joan worked various jobs and settled on real estate sales. She was extremely successful earning “Salesperson of the Year”, selling more property than any other agent in the city. She continued that work for over 40 years.

She had a full-time career and five children. In her spare time, she and Donald Sr. bought, repaired, rented and sold over 40 houses.

Every gray hair was genuinely earned.

During this time she;

- Found a marijuana plant growing in our yard (the seeds do, in fact, sprout).

- Investigated every friend, time, location and activity associated with her kids. (The Pueblo Five) …

- She found and confronted persons owing rent, sometimes in another city.

- Proved to Dave that she absolutely could not cut hair as well as Dad could.

- Took care of her demented grandfather in her home.

- Moved and set up house 8-10 times as they bought and repaired the houses.

- Watched in panic as her husband walked on the roof of an actively burning building.

- Survived the well-meaning physical antics of her in-laws.

- Glued together the 1960’s “cool” serpentine sculpture in the living room so many times it was then made more of glue than plaster.

- Was horrified that potential female firefighters might nurse their babies at work in front of the men.

- Amassed a collection of goods in her basement that would scare an auctioneer.

- Wore high heels, panty hose, and gloves with dresses, while consulting a city map and carrying a roll of quarters for phone booth calls, to show houses. This was at a time when young women just didn’t do that.

- Went to the limit with every birthday, Christmas and Easter to ensure that each celebration outdid the last.

- Provided guidance on individual conduct and responsibility: “Well do you want me to wipe your butt for you too?” “What is this… Grand Central Station?” She finally gave in with “Whatever!”.

- Tolerated, (but never accepted) two sons and a daughter moving out of state.

- After 20 years of angst with a Leukemia diagnosis, the doctors said “oops you don’t have that”.

- Fell into cactus while riding a “Tote Goat”.

- Ate “ketchupy” hamburgers, switched to Republican, lived frugally but was generous with friends and family, and got strength and solace as a member of Broadway and Orman Church of Christ.

Joan and Don built their dream home in 1977 and lived there together until Don passed 17 years later. Joan remained in that home until her own passing.

She leaves behind 3 children, 15 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, a sister (Patricia Teel), and the Aqua Net hair spray industry.

While her official cause of death was “multi-organ system failure”, it was undoubtedly hastened by a broken heart from Don Sr’s death in 1994, Don Jr’s in 2021, and her youngest son Darrel just 8 days before.

Her unconditional, unwavering love and support of her family defined her. She is greatly missed.

A public visitation for Loretta will be held Friday, September 20, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Imperial Funeral Home, 5450 Highway 78 West, Pueblo, Colorado 81005. A service will occur 11:00 AM, luncheon reception will follow service and interment at Imperial Memorial Gardens to follow the reception.