- Date Of Birth: December 17, 1943
- Date Of Death: March 7, 2020
- State: Michigan
Thelma Jean Chapman (Stafford) passed away on Saturday, March 7th, 2020 at the age of 76. She was born in Paw Paw, Michigan, on December 17th, 1943 to the late Haywood Monroe Stafford and Ida Correne Cross. She was a graduate of Comstock High School.
As a young child she struggled with polio which left her crippled. Thelma was one of 13 children and when she was young, she was given to her namesake, Thelma and Carl Rickman, to be cared for in St Mary’s Ohio. Growing up in St Mary’s, she had a strong upbringing. She enjoyed playing sports, basketball, and listening to music and she was the biggest Elvis Presley fan. In her teens, she went back to live with her parents in Paw Paw, Michigan. When Thelma moved back home, she helped raise, support and care for her younger brothers and sisters.
She then met her beloved husband, Dale Robert Chapman, who she had 5 children with. Thelma especially loved spending time with her family, her 14 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. Thelma also worked for the United States Postal Service for 33 years and became a postal supervisor. In her position, she got to travel across the United States to attend union meetings in places such as the Bahamas, San Antonio, Texas, and Washington D.C. Thelma enjoyed playing bingo and would travel to places like North Carolina and other places for the chance to play bingo. Thelma became a treasurer and member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles because of the relationship she had with her Uncle, Donald Robinson, who was like a grandfather to her 5 children.
She enjoyed traveling and made a beautiful trip along the east coast of Ohio to Maine to see all the light houses along the way. Thelma had a very caring and generous heart, she was a “giver and not a taker.” She never turned anyone away who needed help.
Thelma was preceded in death by her parents; husband Dale Robert Chapman; brothers: Joseph, Haywood, George, Pete, William, Leonard, Ronnie Stafford and sister, Donna Mae. Thelma was also preceded in death by a great grandson, Daquon.
She is survived by her children: Dianna (Robert) Moore, Donald Chapman, Connie (Chris) Slater, Barbara (Steven) Skalski, Roger (Shawn) Chapman. Thelma is survived by 14 grandchildren: Heather Randall, Jenny Brizendine, Brandon Shearer-Chapman, Haylie Bertch, Tayler Chapman, Vern Slater, Chad Slater, Christopher Slater, Natasha Hotchkiss, Rachel Skalski, Brittany Phillips, Adreonna Hunt, Olyviah Thelma-Irene Liby, and Roger Chapman Jr; 18 great grandchildren: Denzell, Tatayanna, Mohamad, Sophia, Landon, Emma, Liam, Owen, Arianna, Aurora, Jace, Levi, Lola, Kole, Alaysha, Aydin, Amiya, K.J. Thelma is also survived by her sisters: Joyce, Francis, Felicia, and Betty.
