Tributes

On a cool Thursday in March in 1944, Wymer Cherry and James A. Chapman, Sr. welcomed a bubbly baby boy into the family and named him James Allen Chapman, Jr. James was a bright addition to the family. He loved to cook and build things and some would say that he even had somewhat of a mischievous side, but in the eyes of his Mother, he could do no wrong. At an early age, James understood the importance of education, and decided at the age of five that he wanted to be a chemist. Whether he was at Fleming Street School, C.M. Eppes High School (‘62), Knoxville Tennessee College or ECU, James stayed focused on that goal and he became a Chemist. Which provided opportunities to work for companies such as Union Carbide, Burroughs Wellcome, Glaxo-Wellcome, and Purdue Pharma. James was never one to sit still. So, in addition to those companies, he worked for or volunteered with OIC (Opportunities Industrialization Center) Roper, NC, Greenville Housing Authority, Eastern Elementary as a Teacher Assistant, Sertoma, NAACP, and he was an entrepreneur. James loved his wife, Jean, and his family deeply and would always provide, teach and protect his girls. He thoroughly enjoyed those special family moments of singing and dancing around just like the “Huxtables” on The Cosby Show. Whether you knew James as Fish, Jim, Chapman, Chap, Tiny, Bubba, Big Man, or James Allen, he was a gentle giant with a heart larger than he was; who never met a stranger. Often, he could be found fishing, cooking, or working on cars. He also enjoyed doing DIY projects, participating in family activities and in later years just getting some fresh air on the porch. But, no matter what, regularly you would hear him say, “Hey Turkey” or “How you doin’?” to which he would then just chuckle and smile at you. James was preceded in death by his parents, Wymer Cherry and James A. Chapman, Sr. and grandson Myles E. Worsley. He is survived by his loving wife, Ruby Jean Chapman; his cherished daughters, Millette Chapman, Camille Chapman, and Letitia Chapman; his sisters, Selma Streeter (Jerome), Debra Albritton, Carlette Cherry (Steve), and Chantelle Johnson; his sister-in-law, Sudie Anderson; his God-children, Marquis Taft, Brianna Taft, and Keishon Taft; his special relatives, Dorothy Johnson-Sports and Carla Torrey (Craig); his bonus family, John Williams (Sherri), Joy Williams, Donna Pierce, and Frank Norris; his supportive care givers, Christina Young, Portia Dunn, and Rayma Victorero; and a host of Nieces, Nephews, and Cousins.

Tributes

Mr. James A. Chapman

March 16, 1944 - April 28, 2026