Mr. G.W. Chapman, Sr.'s Obituary
GW Chapman Sr. was born on May 18, 1923, in Newton, Mississippi, to the late Beulah and Gallaspy Chapman. He was the youngest of live children born to this union. GW warmly recalled that even in adulthood Mama Beulah often referred to him as Baby. GW joined Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church at an early age. He attended Miles Grade School and graduated froin Newton High School In his youth and throughout his life, GW was easy to get along with and had no problems making new friends. He also liked to participate in sports, especially football and baseball. At an early age, GW attempted to keep up with his older siblings and do everything they did, even in the cotton fields where everyone was expected to contribute during the harvest season. When GW was around eight years old, he noticed that his siblings often brought in full bales of cotton. He made it his mission to bring home full bales of cotton too. Before long, GW was bringing home full bales of cotton to the extent that he sometimes brought in more cotton than his siblings. Mama Beulah began to punish GW's older siblings because the "Baby" picked more cotton than they had picked. However, Papa GL thought it was strange, so one day he hid in the fields to watch GW pick cotton. GW had no idea that Papa GL was onto him…until it was too late. Just as GW attempted to pull cotton from one of sibling’s bale, Papa GL told him, “Just put it right back where you got it!”. It was discovered that GW was taking a little cotton from Eva and Combus throughout the day. GW recalled that he never took anyone’s cotton after the whipping he received that day. As a young boy, GW was a character and liked to joke with his siblings. One day, one of his pranks got him in trouble. GW said that he greeted a man by saying, “Howdy Bob” instead of putting a handle on his name. When GW and his siblings got home, his sisters, Frances and Eva told on him. Later that evening Mama Beulah told Papa GL what happened. When Papa GL asked Mama Beulah if she had whipped him, Mama Beulah said, “yes, but I whipped him for myself.” So, Papa had GL had to whip him too. GW said that was the worst day of his life. GW liked to hang out with his older brothers and earn his own money. During their early teens, GW and his brothers grew peanuts to make money. GW said that after he, Willie, and Combus, spent the whole day in the cotton fields, they gathered kindling to make light and picked peanuts at night. Once the peanuts were ready, GW and his brothers put them in croker sacks and walked the eight miles to town and sold them for five to ten cents a pint. GW said that sometimes they would get lucky and someone would buy all their peanuts. He said that money seemed to last them forever.
In April 1943, GW joined the United States Marine Corp. He completed basic training at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. During World War II, GW spent his military career stationed in Honolulu and Oahu, Hawaii. After the Marines honorarily discharged GW on December 14, 1945, he returned to Newton, Mississippi to help Papa GL raise crops and work the farm.
In August 1947, GW attended a church event at Mt. Olive Methodist Church with his best friend JT Evans. While there, JT introduced GW to Elnora, and according to GW, she was an attractive young lady from Jasper County, Mississippi. GW said it was Love at first sight and remained that way. GW and Elnora dated for six weeks and married on September 27, 1947. Papa GL sold GW a portion of his land, and with the help of Papa GL and GW’s uncles, they built a house for GW and his bride. In 1948, Elnora gave birth to a daughter named. Kersena. GW and Elnora had two more daughters within the next two years, Glenda Yvette and Carol Deloris. GW became the proud father of a son, GW, Jr. one day after his seventh weeding anniversary.
GW recalled that the year 1954 proved to be a bad year for crops in Newton, Mississippi, and the Chapman crops were no exception. GW wanted to help his father improve the current land to purchase more land, so he made the hard decision to move to Denver, Colorado. On January 3, 1956, GW left Mississippi with the sincere hope to move back to Newton within a few years. He stated that one thing led to another and he spent 32 years in Denver. Shortly after GW arrived in Denver, he and his family joined New Hope Baptist Church. He served as a faithful member and usher. During GW's first few years in Denver, he worked a variety of jobs that included work at Lowry Air Force Base, the Star gas station, and the Denver Dry Goods, to support his family and his parent's farm in Mississippi. He stated that he had a loyal work ethic and worked hard to provide his family with a decent life. GW taught his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, the importance of finances. He told them, "Don't worry about the dollar you don't have, but the one in your pocket." He also told them "Don't buy nothing cheap. Buy something of quality one time, that way you can spend your money on something else." On October 1, 1960, GW began a career as a mail handler at the United States Postal Service in downtown Denver. During his career, GW earned numerous awards and honors including an award for not using any sick leave for many years. He also established many lifelong friendships at the postal service. GW worked long hours that prevented him from spending as much time with his family as he wanted; however, when he was home, his children enjoyed his company. GW look forward to GW Jr's youth football games and attending his daughter's Echoes of Youth singing events that he also often chaperoned during the singing group's trips. GW and his brother Combus gathered with their families on the weekends. On Sundays, GW took the family on Sunday drives around the city. GW knew the city life in Denver was more precarious than the farm life in Newton, Mississippi, so he maintained a regimented household. He allowed his children to play with the kids in the neighborhood and enjoy life as such, but they to be in the house at a certain time and follow his rules. On the weekends there was no such thing as sleeping in ... GW would wake up early and go to his kid's rooms yelling, "Get up! Get up! No one should sleep late. If you don't have nothing to do, then act like it. You just might find yourself doing something." GW had the perfect resolution when his children got into spats. He would make the offenders look each other in the eye, give each other a hug and kiss, and tell each other "I love you."
During GW’s last 10 years at the postal service, he prepared for his retirement years and completely renovated the house his father and uncles help him build in Newton, MS. After 22 years at the postal service, GW retired on January 2, 1987 , and joyfully returned to his roots… Sweetwater Road in Newton, MS. GW spent time his time in Newton raising livestock (he loved his cows) and watching everything grown in his garden from collard greens, corn, to peanuts. GW loved God and loved sharing his testimony that “God has been mighty good!”. Mt. Moriah was GW’s heart and passion. He followed in his parents footsteps and was actively involved at Mt. Moriah where he served as a deacon, church treasurer, and the Superintendent of Sunday School. He was also a member of the Solomon Union Singing convention and the Newton City-wide Usher board. As a member of the usher board, GW traveled throughout the region to participate in a variety of usher programs.
The Chapman clan regarded GW as the Chapmen oral historian. He had the gift to remember the birthdate of nearly every member of the Chapman clan and could recall, with detail, Chapman family historical accounts. GW looked forward to family reunions to catch up with extended family, appreciated EVERYONE that graced his doorstep to check on him and to chat about “back in the day”. GW especially looked forward to visits from his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. GW made sure every visitor took a plate, even if it meant “putting some in your pocket”. Like Mama Beulah, GW was sad when his visitors left. In his words, “the rough part is leaving” and we will miss him dearly. Job well done good and faithful servant!
GW was proceeded in death by his wife, Elnora Chapman; his parents: Gallaspy and Beulah Chapman; two sisters: Even Rigsby (Vonzie) and Frances McCuiston (Raphael); two brothers , Willie (Maudell) and Combus Chapman (Margaret).
He leaves to mourn his passing: his three daughters: Kersena London, Yvette Dyson, Carol Phillips; his son, GW Chapman Jr. He also leaves to mourn nine grandchildren: Chauncly Dyson, Shae Vargas (Sal), Zena Dyson, Rachel Phillips-Cox (Cedric), B. Lesean London (Tricia) Darryl Phillips, Khaleah London, and Aisha Chapman; twelve great-grandchildren: Aungeane (Phillips) Fisher, Ashley London, Brian Young, Chaunsae Dyson, Olivia London, Ashlyn Howard, Lauren Cox, Solomon Phillips, Alyssia Howard, GW London, Chaleah Dyson, and Love L. London; and one great-great granddaughter, Naiyla Lawson; his brother-in-law, Vonzie Rigsby, devoted family friend Andrew Williams, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
What’s your fondest memory of G.W.?
What’s a lesson you learned from G.W.?
Share a story where G.W.'s kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with G.W. you’ll never forget.
How did G.W. make you smile?
