Jacqueline Chapman

In Loving Memory

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LIFE STORY

Jacqueline Chapman was born on July 10, 1942 in Philadelphia and resided in the Langston family home with her mother and aunts in the culturally rich area of Pulaskitown, a division of Germantown.  In 1954, “Jackie”, as most of you know her, moved to Harlem, NY to live with her Aunt Vivian and Uncle Redd.  There she attended George Washington High School, where she soon met her high school sweetheart, Arthur Jeffrey Mitchell “Jeff” and they quickly became inseparable.  When they graduated high school they proceeded immediately to college at Bowling Green University in Ohio and in June of 1963, they were married and lived on campus as fraternity parents.  Their first child, Arthur Jeffrey Mitchell, Jr was born in March of 1967.  After Jackie graduated with a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education in 1968,  Jackie, Jeff and Jeff Jr. moved to the Washington, DC area where they would settle down and have their second child, Kimberly Ann Mitchell, in February of 1970. 

In 1971, Jackie began working in Washington, DC as the Director of an educational center for young children 2-5 years old.  A few years later, she transitioned to the Prince George’s County School System in Maryland, where she remained for 33 years.  Throughout the years, Jackie attended both Howard and Georgetown Universities, obtaining several auxiliary degrees and certificates in Special Education.  She was passionate about helping children that had disabilities, often caring for them beyond the school day.  She also worked on the local Book Mobile, reading to children on weekends in various communities.  In 2003, Jackie retired as the Head of PG County’s Early Identification Program aimed at addressing special needs children. 

Jackie was also a political activist that continuously volunteered her time to help local councilpersons in their pursuit of office.  She had a voice in her community and a heart for universal justice and instilled integrity in her children by taking them to participate in Marches in Washington, anti-apartheid protests at the South African Embassy, and homeless and elderly acts of kindness through their church, Our Lady of Perpetual Help.  She was a woman of many hats, all humbly worn and intentionally  executed. 

After retirement, Jackie was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.  Early on, the disease was manageable but as the years passed, it took a turn for the worse and limited her mobility.  She was brave during her fight and relocated to Southern California with her children to experience life on the west coast.  However, as the struggle worsened, Jackie wanted to return to her home of Philadelphia, where she lived the last few years of her life. 

Jackie leaves to carry on her legacy:  her two children, Jeff Mitchell (Melissa) and Kim Mitchell, four grandchildren:  Arthur III, Jaquela, Amir, and Gabrielle, one sister Brenda, one brother John (Kelly), ex-husband Calvin, and a host of other family members and friends.  All continue to be blessed by her love, charm and wit.