The Rev. Daniel Mappus, 72, went home to be with the Lord on June 7, 2019 in Round Hill, Virginia.
Danny was a proud native of Charleston, South Carolina, but Virginia held a special place in his heart. In 1965, his family relocated to Covington, Virginia, where he met and married the love of his life, Mabel Andrews, in 1967. One year later, they took their first pastoral assignment in Hot Springs, Virginia. After graduating from Nazarene Bible College in 1976, he was ordained an elder. Danny and Mabel dedicated their lives to serving God, raising their three daughters, loving people and living a humble but adventurous life, consistently relying on the provision, protection, and promises that God supplied. In addition to Hot Springs, his pastoral journey included ministries in Gwynn’s Island, Bristol, and Winchester, Virginia; Abilene, Weatherford, Burkburnett, Pampa, and Temple, Texas; Robeline and Crowley, Louisiana; McAlester, Oklahoma; and missions work in Dominican Republic and Ecuador.
Danny had a wonderful sense of humor and offered a gentle smile and kind spirit to all those he met. He had so many gifts, interests, and abilities that God used for casting wide nets of faith, hope, and love toward people who needed it most. He was known to soak up the local culture wherever he went, but was especially fond of the Chesapeake Bay. He treasured his time as a waterman, catching and eating all that the water provided. He was a lifelong learner and self-taught mechanic, engineer, musician, computer guru, chef, cat whisperer, and master carpenter, to name just a few. His talents were instrumental in designing and building multiple church structures throughout his ministry. So many lifelong friendships were formed while swinging hammers, pulling pound nets, anointing vehicles, embracing technology, quoting silly movies, singing beautiful harmonies, enjoying good food, intimidating daughters’ suitors, and so many countless other opportunities for fellowship.
When Danny was asked about his life, he said, “I trust that I have done some small bit of good and I hope God is pleased with it.” We have faith that when he entered heaven, God welcomed him with, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Welcome home.”
Danny was predeceased by his parents, Christian and Barbara Mappus, and his brother, Chris Mappus.
His surviving family members include his beloved wife Mabel; daughters and husbands, Heather and Thanh Rodke, Jennifer and Russell Wood, and Bridget and Dirk Ellerbe; sisters and husbands, Barbara and Frank Anderson and Brenda and David Ferguson; grandchildren, Emily and Hailey Rodke, Rachel and Joseph Wood, and Victoria and Madalyn Ellerbe, and extended family and friends that loved him dearly.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 20 at Gwynn’s Island Church of the Nazarene, Hudgins.
As an expression of sympathy and support, contributions may be directed to the memorial fund established on Facebook, https://www.everloved.com/life-of/daniel-mappus/ or by mail in care of EVRFWD, P.O. Box 487, Round Hill, Va. 20142. For additional information, correspondence may be sent to djmappusmemorial@gmail.com.