Marlene Craig Chapman

Marlene Chapman, 89, died June 15, 2021.  She was born in Ducktown, TN. on April 21, 1932 to Samuel Craig and Freeda Hamby Craig.  Lovingly called Mod, Mom, or Nanny, Marlene was preceded in death by her parents and five of her six siblings, Winston Craig, Cleaston Craig, Clifton McCulley, Sam Craig, and Jean Hove.  She loved to talk on the phone with her baby sister, Sue, until the day she died.

Marlene graduated from Ducktown High School in 1950, her classmates always held a special place in her heart and never missed a Miner’s Homecoming in Ducktown, known for being the organizing force behind her class reunions. She collected and displayed ducks throughout her home.

In her early years, Marlene loved to sing.  She remembered singing her first solo at Mine City Baptist Church as a child.  In 1954, she married her husband of 67 years, David Lee Chapman at the same church and they moved to Flintstone/High Point where she lived for the remainder of her life.  They lived at David’s homeplace in High Point for the last 43 years.  Marlene was a basketball player and played at Ducktown HS, East Tennessee State College, and DuPont. She returned to college after her children were born and earned a teaching degree from West Georgia College and a Master’s Degree from Berry College.  She taught kindergarten for 30 years, primarily at Chattanooga Valley Elementary School. She always loved running into one of her students and could tell you a story about each one.

In her later years, Marlene enjoyed painting on her Ipad, doing word searches, and reading.  Her personal library has over 1000 books.  Marlene was an avid seasonal decorator and had a different theme for each room throughout the seasons.  She was also known for her one-liner comebacks, “backseat driving” when one of the two David’s was “Driving Miss Marlene”, her love of butterflies and the Georgia Bulldogs.

A current member of Chattanooga Valley Baptist Church, Marlene had a passion for missions and for many years served as the missions’ director at both Flintstone Baptist Church and CVBC.  She also organized the “Young at Heart” field trips to local plays, museums and outings. 

Marlene is survived by her husband, David, her children, Sandra Manning (Jim), and David Craig Chapman (Annette).  She is also survived by her sister, Sue Taylor (Bob); grandchildren, Brittany Hooks (Nathan), Jim Manning (Amanda), Luke Manning, and Briz Chapman; and great-grandchildren, Aniston, Chesnee, and Ellie Hooks. She was loved by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be from 4-8 on Friday, June 18 and Saturday, June 19 from 12-1 at Heritage Funeral Home, Ft. Oglethorpe followed by the funeral at 1:30.  Burial will follow immediately at Lookout Cemetery in High Point, GA.  Memorials may be made to the mission organization of your choice or the missions offering at Chattanooga Valley Baptist Church. 

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