Ruth Paterson Chappell

Ruth Elizabeth Paterson “Booie” Chappell was the 4th and youngest daughter of Alexander and Caroline Paterson of Towson, Maryland. Booie spent her early years there and upon the passing of her father, moved with her mother to Baltimore, Maryland where she finished high school.

Her college years were spent at the University of Maryland where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, earned her degree in early childhood education, obtained her Master’s degree and met her husband Chris. After their marriage, they moved to the suburbs of Washington, DC where their family grew to include 3 sons and a daughter.

1960, found the family in Columbia, SC where a son joined the crowd. During this time, Booie was busy managing all the Chappell Clan’s activities but still found time for teaching, serving as a docent at The Hampton Preston House, starting and then directing St. Andrews Presbyterian Church Kindergarten, and obtained her realtor’s license.

In the early 80’s, with most of the kids off to college and the Air Force, the family moved to Charleston where Booie started her (35 plus year) love affair with Drayton Hall Plantation. Here she enjoyed giving educational tours to the public - and along with Chris – watched over “The House” from their small cottage. They even survived natural hurricanes (Hugo) as well as those created by the addition of numerous grandchildren.

This was also a time when Booie embarked on her writing career with her focus (not surprisingly on) children. The Amazing Tales of a Charleston Cat: A Tour Guide for Children of All Ages, co-written with her sister Bess, Counting the Ways to Love Charleston, All ‘Bout Charleston, and several other stories were also a collaboration with her good friend and illustrator Dean Wroth. Booie also found time to appear at book singing events as well as several Author Roundtables sponsored by the SC Governor’s office. Most of all, she enjoyed reading to children at several of the area kindergartens and elementary schools.

Upon leaving Drayton Hall – and later Charleston in 2020, Booie enjoyed time with family at her daughter’s house in North Myrtle Beach, SC.

The Chappell Family is sure Booie, the children’s book author, would have appreciated the following:

Adoring Booie Chappell, it’s easy to do,

Let’s use the Alphabet, a concept not new…

B’s for her Birthday, a grand celebration,

May 100 Bluebirds, blessed this occasion…

Chris may have much to say about this,

When he was done with his praises, he always got a kiss…

D’s for that special place – Drayton Hall,

Where they lived thirty 5 plus years, welcoming all…

E - Exact Grammar! Booie raised the bar,

Ignoring the rules would not get you far…

F’s for dear friends, too many to count,

Also for Flowers, tho the Fleur-de-lis’s paramount…

G’s for countless grandkids, and great-grands, too,

Way too many to fit in a shoe…

H is for heart-felt, her love you could feel,

When she said, “I love you,” you knew it was real…

I’s for Isle of Palms, her favorite beach,

She adored having Jean and Mac within reach…

J is for Joyful, her New Year’s Eve birth,

Completed her family, a blessing on earth.

K’s for kids, can’t forget all four “favorite” boys,

How did she survive with all that noise..?

L is for Loving, Loyal and Laudable, too,

Her lifelong pursuits were such great things to do…

M for Melinda, who gets her own letter,

Her brothers agree there’s no sister better…

N is for nieces and nephews, with offspring galore

Makes a huge family, that’s what life’s for…

O is for wiser, ninety four years of good livin’,

One thing’s for sure, she was the gift that kept givin’…,

P stands for Paterson and Published – no wee letter,

To be both, in her book, well nothing is better.

Q is for Queen in Chris’ heart, that she is,

And Chris will be quick to remind you – she was HIS...

R is for Ruth, which she never could say,

Somehow Ruth became Booie, which stuck to this day…

S, cherished sisters, Jean, Bess and Ann

And their much-adored “Daddy,” a famed Scots-man…

T’s for tenacity, strength, courage, and faith from above,

Like her dear mother, it’s what she was made of…

U of Maryland – Kappa, Chris, sisters, too,

Don’t tread on those Terps - go ahead. I DARE you…!

V’s for the videos that were such fun to make,

We hope she found them more delicious than cake…

W - WINE!!! DUH!!! Let’s raise a glass,

And toast lovely Booie, a most marvelous lass

X marks the spot where your story did start,

Towson it was, and lived in her heart…

Y’s for the youngest of four little girls,

Rare-gifted wee poets, with bows in their curls…

Z’s for the reasons to love Booie – a zillion,

We’re glad she was born, ‘cause she’s was one in a million!!!

Susan Shipe Calfee, Niece

Booie is survived by her husband of 70 years, L. Christopher “Chris” Chappell, 5 children - Pat (Margaret), Mike (Teri), David, Melinda and Brian (Lisa) - 12 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, Booie asked that donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital (stjude.org/donate).

A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, March 24th, 2022, at 2 PM. James Island Yacht Club, 734 Wampler Drive, Charleston, SC 29412 . You can find more information here: https://sail1design.com/club-profile-james-island-yacht-club/