Marna Lou Smith Chapman, 91, of Andrews for the past 42 years and previously of Whitney Point, N.Y., entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, July 27, 2022. She was born March 7, 1931.
She was predeceased by her husband, C. Kent Chapman, whom she dearly missed since he made the journey to his heavenly home in April of 2020. They were happily married for over 69 years. Marna also was predeceased by her parents, Walter Smith and Dorothy Baker Smith, as well as her brother, Russell Smith, and her sister, Lucie Smith Crolius.
Marna was a joyful handmaiden of the Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to her own testimony, saved her from her sins when she was a teenager. By His grace, she was faithful to the Lord, serving alongside Kent in his employment endeavors and in his various church and evangelistic ministries.
Marna was a glad and diligent wife and mother who enjoyed raising kids, cooking, sewing, reading, gardening, raising animals, singing, praying, going to church, teaching Sunday School, playing the harmonica, and being around family and friends. She worked more than full time, contributing selflessly and happily to the success of her husband and family.
She is survived by all seven of their children: Russell (Karin), Janet (Jerry Zayas), Laura (Timothy Fotusky), Kevin (Mary Beth), Jonathan (Holly), Dorothy “Dottie” (Phil Close), and Eric (Cathy). Marna is also survived by her brother, Richard Smith; and her sister, Joanne Smith Bowman; over 30 grandchildren, and over 40 great-grandchildren, whom she loved and prayed for. Grandchildren known in the community served by this newspaper are Adina Chapman-Mers, Cherith Chapman Flowerday, Katie Chapman Horner, Carrie Chapman Scott, Wesley Chapman, Rachael Close Litchfield, Maria Close Lee, Sarah Close Boyd, Stuart Close and Andrew Close.
Marna wrote the following poem to her husband in 1987 when she was 56 years old, after 37 years of marriage.
To Kent
If I could go to lands afar
And sail the oceans blue,
I’d let someone else take my place,
And I would stay with you.
If I had a choice to be famous
And have honors and high acclaim too,
I’d choose to stay right here
And wash and cook for you.
If I’d had the choice of the wife of a prince
Or be one of the wealthy few,
I’d choose your love and protective roof
And stay right here with you.
So as you toil and work each day
To provide the things of life,
I always try to make your life better
And be a loving wife.
Marna wrote the poem “A Mother’s Prayer” when she was 37 years old; the oldest of her seven children was 16, and the youngest was three years old.
A Mother’s Prayer
Lord, when I was a child, I often said
I wanted lots of babies as my dolls I bathed and fed.
When I was grown, and my husband came my way, Lord, You really blessed us as we trusted You each day.
Then we said we’d like lots of children – and You gave them to us, too:
You sent us seven to be taught and trained for You.
Now, Lord, I am happy for the privilege that is mine,
For the joy of raising children for the kingdom that is Thine.
Please help me to show them the straight and narrow way,
And help me to be patient when I’ve had a trying day.
Will You show me sound wisdom as I counsel troubled hearts,
And help me to be loving when I’m feeling out of sorts?
Now, Lord, it isn’t easy when the little ones are sick,
When the children are ill-tempered, and they want to quarrel and pick.
And, Lord, sometimes the money is so scarce I truly wonder why,
But I know You didn’t promise there would always be blue sky.
But when I see a little daughter read the Bible and pray,
Or a son who seeks Your leading for decisions for the day,
Or when another daughter sings out her praise to You in song,
And the whole family joins to make a happy throng,
Then I say, “What greater joy and privilege could You have given me
Than to be a mother training children just for Thee!”
“Her children arise up and call her blessed” (Proverbs 31:28).
Calling hours will be from 1-2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, at First Baptist Church of Andrews, with the funeral to follow. Interment will be in Red Marble Baptist Church Cemetery. Services will be officiated by the following ministers of the Gospel: David Anderson, Calvin Bobo and Eric Chapman.
Memorial contributions may be made online to The Gideons, a ministry that gives away Bibles, at https://gideons.org/donate or by calling 615-564-5000.
Cochran Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Marna Chapman.
You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.