Gerald Chapman

Gerald Ray Chapman, Sr.
May 28, 1926- April 19, 2014

Gerald Ray Chapman, Sr., was born May 28, 1926, in the Cash Community of Chesterfield County outside of Cheraw, South Carolina. His parents are the late James Thomas Chapman and Janie Culp Chapman. His grandparents are the late James Dewitt Chapman and Madora Louise Powe Chapman and the late Joseph Culp and Elizabeth Brown Culp who was a member of the Catawba Indian Nation.
In addition to his parents and grandparents listed above, Mr. Chapman was predeceased by his brothers John Clifton Chapman (died September 1988); Willie Russell "Ruck" Chapman (died 1978); Thomas J. Chapman (died March 1917); Rufus Julian Chapman (died March 1917); James Thomas "Hammet" Chapman (died February 1989); David Walker "Ben" Chapman, Sr. (died July 1990); and sisters Marguerette Madora "Soot" C. Burr (died April 1990) and Janie Lucille C. Floyd (died January 1989).
Having grown up during the Great Depression, Mr. Chapman, who was affectionately called "Bum" by his Chapman relatives, knew and appreciated the value of hard work and having a paying job. After proudly serving his country in the U. S. Navy trained as a tail gunner during World War II, Mr. Chapman worked for Egmont, J. P Stevens, Pee Dee Fabrics, and Crown, Cork and Seal. He last worked at the Cheraw Recycling Center retiring two years ago at age 85 so that he could help with the care of his wife who has Alzheimer's disease. Until recently, Mr. Chapman was an active member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.
Mr. Chapman was a colorful, enthralling storyteller and enjoyed entertaining family and others by recanting incidents from his life, particularly from his youth. A collector of everything, one man's trash is another man's treasure was Mr. Chapman's motto. He was extremely proud of the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren.
He is survived by his beloved wife of sixty-nine (69) years, Wilma Louise Wallace Chapman.
Son: Gerald "Jerry" Ray Chapman, Jr. and his wife Sherrie Caulder Chapman of Cheraw, SC
Daughters: LaJoyce C. Chapman and her husband Ralph W. Chapman, Sr., of Patrick, SC; Rebecca C. Gainey and her husband Melvin Gainey of Cheraw, SC

Grandchildren: Ralph Wilson Chapman, Jr., and his wife Katy Turner Chapman of Cheraw, SC; John Tyson Chapman and his wife Shannon McNally Chapman of Frisco, TX; Shelley C. Morgan and her husband David L. Morgan of Cheraw, SC; Amy C. Alexander and her husband Jon P. Alexander of Cheraw, SC
Great grandchildren: Zackary Kyle and Ashley Brenn Chapman, of Cheraw, SC; Delaney Kathryn, Jacob Thomas and Brody Wallace Chapman of Frisco, TX.; Jon Matheson, Charles Thomas, Lily Cathryn and Jackson Caulder Alexander of Cheraw, SC;
His beloved cats Fluffy and Mackie. Also the many close and extended members of the Chapman and Wallace families.

Funeral Services for Mr. Gerald Ray Chapman will be 11:00 AM Thursday, April 24, 2014 at Miller-Rivers-Caulder Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow in the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery with Military Honors. The family will receive friends from 5:00 - 7:00 PM Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at Miller-Rivers-Caulder Funeral Home and other times at the home of Jerry and Sherrie Chapman, 330 Chewning Road, Cheraw, SC.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Alzheimer's Association, 4124 Clemson Boulevard, Suite L, Anderson, SC 29621.

Miller-Rivers-Caulder Funeral Home of Chesterfield, SC (www.mrcfuneralhome.com) is serving the Chapman family.

FUNERAL SERVICE: 11:00 A.M. Thursday, April 24, 2014 at Miller-Rivers-Caulder Funeral Home Chapel

INTERMENT: to follow in the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery, with Military Honors

VISITATION: 5:00 - 7:00 P.M. Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at the Funeral Home