WHIPPLE, Mel C. (nee Mary Eleanor Chambliss), passed away on January 11, 2012. Having lived a full life embracing family, career, social and political activism and a tremendous circle of friends, her life is celebrated by those who knew her. Mel was an advocate for the welfare and rights of all individuals. This commitment was demonstrated through her career as a social worker and psychotherapist, volunteer, lay minister and teacher. She was a graduate of the Georgia State College for Women and Virginia Commonwealth University's Graduate School of Social Work. Mel is survived by her three daughters, Mary Brent Whipple, married to James Schwaber, Arden, Del., Barbara Whipple, married to Paul Kazarov, Staunton, Va., and Marsha Knight, married to Leigh Selting, Laramie, Wyo.; seven grandchildren, one great-grandchild, as well as numerous nieces and nephews; one sister, Martha Jane Sappenfield, lives in Woodstock, Ga., with both sisters having been preceded in death by brothers, Samuel Chambliss and Joel Benjamin Chambliss. A memorial service will take place in Atlanta, Ga., at a later date, with burial of ashes in Villa Rica, Ga. A gathering of friends will also be held at a later date in Richmond, Va. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to VCU School of Social Work, Mel C. Whipple Scholarship Fund, VCU School of Social Work, P.O. Box 842027, Richmond, Va. 23284.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
