Merle Edith Rhymer Chapman, 82, of Lenoir, NC, passed away on February 9, 2020, at Frye Regional Medical Center. She was born on February 8, 1938, in her grandparents’ Burke County home to the late John Edward and Ruth Irene Smith Rhymer. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two infant brothers.
She deeply loved her family, friends, church family, and her God. She also loved music…and began playing the piano at North Catawba Baptist Church for Sunday School assembly at the age of nine. She eventually became the church pianist/organist and, with the exception of four years living out-of-state, played each Sunday until this January 5, when she suffered a stroke while getting ready to go to church to play for the evening service. Over the years she played for thousands of services and hundreds of weddings and funerals.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 62 years, Thurman Ervin Chapman; her daughter Lisa Chapman Caviness and husband Wayne; her son Gregory Chapman and wife Sandy; and three beautiful granddaughters, Anna Caviness, Sara and Savanna Leonhardt.
Services will be held at North Catawba Baptist Church in Lenoir on Thursday, February 13, at 3:30pm. Dr. Wayne Caviness and Rev. David Brown will officiate. Prior to the service, the family will receive friends from 2 until 3:30pm at the church.
Pendry’s Lenoir Funeral Home is assisting the family.
