A Lifetime of Laughter, Love and a Little Bit of Mischief

Mary Louise (Booker) Chapman, a beacon of joy and master of mirth, left us on March 28, 2024 surrounded by the love of her family. Born on May 24, 1948 to Edith Mae (Thomas) and William Carey Booker, all natives of Guinea.

Mary Lou’s zest for life was matched only by her love for family, adventure, and her hobbies which included woodworking and sewing/quilting—each piece a testament to her meticulous care and whimsical touch; and her love of dogs. Anyone that knew her had no choice but to appreciate the way she could make those around her laugh (and sometimes cringe) with a sense of humor only matched by her friends and family.

She was the cherished mother of Karen (Hitt) Rogers, Kristen (Paus) West and her husband David, and Orren Davis (Odie) Chapman and his wife Roxy. Her sister Judy (Booker) Teagle shared many of her escapades and laughter. Mary Lou was a grandmother to a troop of trailblazers and dreamers: Danielle (Chase), Ashlen (Devin), Kimberly (Austen), Devin (Kendall), Dylan (Courtney), Collin (Selena), Olivia (Aric), Sophia, and Karson. Her great-grandchildren, Colton, Elayah, Eleanor, Isabella, Matthew, Margaret, Maxwell, Marcellus, Mazikeen, Charlotte, Autumn, and Kaylee kept her heart young and her jokes fresh. She also had an unmatched love for her nieces and nephews, Stuart, Mary, Greg and Jennifer. Along with her endless list of cousins and friends (and if you were a friend, you were considered family) that she stayed in touch with throughout all of life. And no one could forget Jack, her beloved Miniature Schnauzer.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her beloved parents, who instilled in her the values of humor and humility that she carried throughout her life.

A private celebration of life will be held by her family, where memories will be shared over the sounds of laughter, just as she would have wanted. In lieu of flowers, lift a glass in a toast to a life well-lived and a woman dearly loved, and remember Mary Lou with love, laughter, and the light she brought into the world.

Here’s to Mary Lou–a life wonderfully woven, stitch by loving stitch, reflecting her joy and creativity.