Obituary of Elizabeth Brooks Chapman

Elizabeth Brooks Chapman was born in Cumberland, Virginia on October 20, 1924, to the late William Brooks and Alice Scott Brooks. She received her education in the Virginia Public School System, where the Commonwealth of Virginia awarded her a diploma for successfully completing the prescribed course of study at the Sugar Fork School on May 11, 1938, and for completion and graduation from the Cumberland County Training High School on June 4, 1942. At the time of her graduation from both schools she received awards for being neither absent nor tardy. Elizabeth was awarded a commendation for outstanding voluntary service contributing to the welfare of the United States Navy by the United States Navy Headquarters on, April 14, 1946. This prestigious award was presented by Rear Admiral Monrow Kelly, The United States Navy Commandant. Elizabeth received recognition from the Young Women's Christian Association ofthe City of New York for her faithful services as a volunteer hostess in the Defense Recreation Department, contributing to the welfare and recreation of members of the Armed Forces in World War II, in June of 1946, which was presented by Ms. Doris M. DuBissette, Director. Elizabeth confessed Christ at an early age and was received into the fellowship of Christ in the Tearwallet Baptist Church of Cumberland, Virginia. Upon relocating to New York City, in 1942, she attended the St. Luke's Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend Walter Harding. She also attended the Convent A venue Baptist Church. In the 1950's she joined the Greater Central Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Reverend Charles Roosevelt Walker. She has served in Greater Central Baptist for more than 50 years. She was a faithful Sunday School member and Sunday School Treasurer for more than 40 years. Elizabeth was employed by Office Canteens, where she worked for several years as a supervisor. Elizabeth met and married the late Elijah Chapman, Sr. in 1946. To this union four children were born, Alice Mariah, Elijah Jr., Bettye Jean and Mary Ann. Elizabeth was well respected both in her church and community. Many of the neighborhood children called her Moms. Elizabeth Brooks Chapman leaves to cherish her memory, her children, Alice Chapman-Minutello of Far Hills, New Jersey; Elijah Chapman, Jr. of Lithonia, Georgia; Bettye Chapman-Buchanan of Port Saint Lucie, Florida; Mary Ann Chapman of Chicago, Illinois; three granddaughters - Laura Chapman- Washington, Mercedes Brooks-Buchanan and Ieshia Chapman; One Grandson - Christopher David James; one great granddaughter, Morgan Ashley Washington; three great grandsons, Makel, Jaheim and Christopher; two sons-in-law, Frank Minutello and George (Buck) Buchanan; two daughters-in-law, Nora Ray-Chapman and Raziyah Smith-Chapman; one brother, Sinclair Brooks; one sister, Dorothy Fleming-Brooks; a very special cousin, Mary Crump; five sisters-in-law, three brothers-in-law, several nieces, nephews, cousins and many, many friends.