Elbert M. Chapman Sr.

VALDESE - Elbert Monroe Chapman Sr., 83, of George Hildebran School Road, Hickory, died Thursday, Jan. 4, 2007, at Frye Regional Medical Center following a brief illness. Mr. Chapman was born May 27, 1923, in Burke County to the late Ernest E. Chapman and Dorothy Stevens Chapman. A U.S. Air Force veteran, he retired as a mechanic from Armstrong Ford. He was a member of Wilkie's Grove Baptist Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, George Chapman and Willard Chapman, and a sister, Edith Rhoney. Survivors include his wife, Pearl H. Chapman of the home; two sons, Elbert M. "Jimmy" Chapman Jr. of Charlotte and Douglas George "Doug" Chapman and wife, Lori, of Hickory; one daughter, Barbara Ann Chapman Barton and husband, Bill, of Greensboro; one brother, Edwin R. "Pete" Chapman and wife, Martha, of Conover; nine grandchildren, Laura Thompson, Jennifer Barton, Maria Barton, Justin Chapman, Elisabeth Chapman, Abigail Chapman, Lydia Chapman, Amelia Chapman and Eli Chapman; and one great-grandchild, Cameron Thompson. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007, at Wilkie's Grove Baptist Church, with the Revs. Ray Raymer and Wesley Taylor officiating. Interment will follow in Wilkie's Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, with military rites conducted by members of American Legion Post 234 Ceremonial Team. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8 tonight, Friday, at Heritage Funeral Service in Valdese, where the body will remain until placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the funeral hour. Memorial gifts may be made to Wilkie's Grove Baptist Church, c/o Building Fund, 5780 Wilkie's Grove Church Road, Hickory, N.C. 28602. An online guest book and obituary is available at www.heritagefuneralservices.com. Heritage Funeral Service in Valdese is serving the family.