VERA LUCILLE “LUCY” (BENNETT) CHAPMAN
Vera Lucille “Lucy” (Bennett) Chapman was born on the family farm in Long Lane, Mo., on May 8, 1927, the second daughter of rural mail carrier George Albert Bennett and his wife, Parthena “Parnie” Genevra (Rose) Bennett. She passed away on Aug. 29, 2018, at the age of 91 surrounded by several loving family members. Lucille was preceded in death by her husband, Bob, of 47 years, her parents, George and Parnie, and her sister, Opal.
Being raised in the Long Lane community meant lots of farm chores and regular church attendance to the Pisgah Baptist Church. She loved taking care of animals, camping outdoors, gardening and cooking. Her best and lifelong friend would be her sister, Opal. They would raise their families together and would literally speak to each other every single day. Opal’s lifelong nickname for Lucille was “Lou.”
After a courtship that included airplane rides and a convertible from a sailor returning home from wartime service, she married the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Warren Chapman, on May 16, 1948. They began married life living five years above the Bill Chapman Hardware store in downtown Buffalo, surviving on 50-cent fried chicken meals. Together they were blessed with and raised three children, Robert Bennett, Deborah Lucille and William Warren.
Their lives and work would be deeply centered in the Dallas County community. She worked side by side with Bob in their local True Value hardware store and family farms, raising prized Registered Angus cattle for more than 40 years. Her real passion however would always remain the love and dedication of educating children.
She attended both Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo., and Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo., for her undergraduate degrees. She achieved her advanced degree from Drury University in Springfield, Mo., with a Master in Special Education.
Lucille’s work of more than 30 years in education began as the sole teacher in one-room schoolhouses in rural Dallas County, Mo. However, the bulk of her career would be serving as first-grade teacher at the D.A. Mallory Elementary School in Buffalo, Mo. Many of her “first-graders” would remember the countless number of pictures and booklets sent home of their work and artwork, reading book reports in a hollowed-out console television set, achieving astronaut status on the “Countdown to the Moon” project, the “Dinosaur Days” activities, singing numerous songs with her playing the piano, and plaster of paris figurines and chained penny bracelets for almost every holiday occasion.
After retirement and the loss of Bob, her husband, Lucille moved to Rolla, Mo., where she continued her teaching through instructing GED courses. There she became an active member in the Rolla Church of the Nazarene, served as “Toodles” to the grandkids and great-grandkids, and participated in and hosted several of the 1945 BHS class reunions.
Lucille enjoyed preparing countless and elaborate dinners for family gatherings, playing family games together, hunting arrowheads, fishing, cookouts by burning brush piles, bird calling and watching, finding thousands of four-leaf clovers and being a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan.
Lucille was a proud daughter, sister, mother, aunt, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her life was richly blessed with several friends, a strong and unshakeable faith in God, and love for children’s education and always helping others. She considered their primary family goal was to dedicate, educate and communicate to her children. These goals were fulfilled while watching all three children grow up and receive college and advanced degrees.
Survivors include the three children: Robert “Bob” Chapman and his wife, Kelly (Ingram) Chapman, of Rolla, Mo., Debi Shafer of Linn, Mo., and William “Billy” Chapman of Rolla, Mo.; eight grandchildren: Brad, Linley, Lucas, Kennedy, Kacy, Tassi, Rob and Tiffani; and seven great-grandchildren: Melissa, Jayden, Jolee, Baylor, Dallie, Estellise and Judson.
Visitation for Lucille will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 3, 2018, at the Cantlon, Otterness & Viets Funeral Home. Services will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018, at the same location. Interment will be in Memorial Gardens of Memory Cemetery in Buffalo, Mo., following the funeral.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Rolla Church of the Nazarene in Rolla, Mo.
Paid memorial provided by family.
