Willie D. Chapman

A time of reflection for Willie D. Chapman 90 of Longview, Texas will be held Friday March 17, 2017 at 11:am in Bigham Mortuary Chapel with Rev. Kelton Wilson, officiating. LIFE REFLECTIONS OF MRS. WILLIE DELORES HEMPHILL CHAPMAN Mrs. WILLIE Chapman was born to the union of Mrs. Rosa Shepard and Rev. William David Hemphill on April 24, 1926 in Marion County. She accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as Her personal Savior at an early age and was baptized. WILLIE D. attended elementary school and Central High School in Jefferson, Texas. She graduated in 1944. WILLIE D. graduated from Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, Texas in May 1948 with a major in Education and English and a minor in Social Studies. WILLIE D. pursued graduate studies in Elementary Education and Mathematics at Bishop College and Prairie View A and M University. WILLIE D's teaching career began in Mansfield, Louisiana in 1948. She also taught in Lassiter ,Texas; Avinger, Texas; Longview, Texas; Harvey and Chicago, Illinois; and, Belcourt, North Dakota where she taught on an Indian Reservation-- Turtle Mountain Community School. It was while she was teaching in Chicago that she met and married Mr. Joseph Chapman who preceded her in death. WILLIE D. has been a member of Galilee Baptist Church, Longview, Texas for over sixty years. She attended Weekly services when her health permitted. WILLIE D. passed on March 1, 2017 at Good Shepherd Hospital , Longview, Texas. Her parents; brothers, Wilson Hemphill and Paul Hemphill; sisters, Ruby Boyd, Venolia Williams, Eldora Harper and Joy Jones; nephews, Robert Harper, Jr., and Reginald Young preceded her in death. WILLIE D. leaves to mourn her death, but rejoice in her everlasting memories: her brother in-law, Dr. Robert L. Harper; nieces, Wilnette Jones, Lynette Mains, Beverly Christopher, Joyce LyGale Young and Willette Jones; nephews, Robert Young, Paul Jones and Thomas Jones; great nieces, Wylonda McDonald, Jewelette Christopher, Marie Jones, Lisa Jones, Jasette Young and Vynette Moore; great nephews, Calvin Christopher, Jr., Calvin Jones,Herman Jones, Anthony Francis, II, Janomi Young, Jamar Young, Thomas Jones, Jr., and Jarvon Nobles; great-great nieces ,Harlonda McDonald, Charlondra McDonald, A'Niyah Francis, A'Laysia Francis, Mah'liyah Francis, Larona Christopher and Janiyah Jones; great-great nephews, Lesika Christopher, Thomas Andrew Jones, III and Jayden Jones; great-great-great niece, Khaleesi Carchelle Anders; cousins, Reverend Dr. William H. Hemphill, Jennifer Hemphill, Kaye Adams and Gregory Adams; a host of family and friends a special friend, "Scratch Off" and neighbors Ed and Mary. The lives that WILLIE D. touched with her love, compassion and generosity are countless. A rose grew in Texas It grew and grew into a life Of usefulness and beauty; It shed its fragrance on the Texas air; It has now dropped its petals and slumbers in the arms of God.