It is with broken hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Betty Chapman Hammond on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021.
Born and raised in the Harcum area of Gloucester, Betty learned to cook from her grandmother, to laugh from her mother and to take orders from her sister. She loved her family, she loved her church, Olive Branch United Methodist Church, and she loved the baby blue Mustang she saved tirelessly to buy. She worked at First Virginia Bank where she made lifelong friendships that meant the world to her. Eventually the Gloucester Homecoming Queen married the Mathews football Captain and she moved to Mathews. She made a new and permanent church home at Bethel United Methodist Church, and she lived her life to the fullest. The original Kool-Aid Mom, her house was always full of kids. This was partially because it was conveniently located but mostly because Betty “Crocker” knew her way around the kitchen. She leaves behind a legacy of epic Christmas Eve dinner parties and unmatched birthday cakes, peanut butter balls and chicken salad.
As we reflect back on her life, what comes to mind is happiness. Her happiness was contagious and took many forms. Making our community a better place through the UMW and the Mathews Woman’s Club, Canon Christmas parties with the love of her life, trips to Busch Gardens with her nieces, lunches with her “Sissy,” nightly phone calls with her best friend, and sunny days with her noodle and her pool friends at the Mathews Yacht Club. Just to name a few. Ultimately Betty’s life was her testimony. Her faith radiated from her like heat waves. Just to be in her presence made you feel somehow warmer, somehow better. Perhaps because she didn’t just listen, she heard you. Perhaps because she didn’t judge and always believed in the best in people. Perhaps because she didn’t tell you what you wanted to hear, but what you needed to hear. Or perhaps because you knew that whatever needed to be done, she would be right there with you until it was done.
Betty was preceded in death by her father, Garland Chapman; her mother, Margaret Chapman, and her special aunt, Jennie Chapman.
She is survived by her husband Rick; a daughter, Jill; a son, Clay; a sister, Earlene (CW) and a loving extended family of people and animals that made her life complete.
Betty loved her Lord, her family, her church and her pets fiercely. Graveside services will be held at noon, Friday, Feb. 5 at H.C. Smither Memorial Cemetery, Hudgins, Virginia. In lieu of flowers we ask you to consider donating to Bethel United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1104, Mathews, Va. 23109 or to the Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society, P.O. Box 385, Gloucester, Va. 23061.
To all of the caregivers at Riverside Walter Reed Hospital who were with us on what was the worst day of our lives, your expertise and attentiveness were only bested by your compassion. Thank you. Faulkner Funeral Homes, Foster-Faulkner Chapel, Mathews, is assisting the family. Please be advised that current state-mandated guidelines will apply to all in attendance, including social distancing and appropriate face coverings.