Dr. Helen Grace Cappleman

Dr. Helen Grace Cappleman CHARLOTTE - Dr. Helen Grace Cappleman will be remembered by all who knew her as a woman who had a full heart for the people and causes she cherished. Helen was especially gifted in teaching children to read and write. Her knowledge of and love for children's literature opened the door to a life-long love of reading for countless children, often by first opening that door for a host of teachers of children. Dr. Cappleman died at her home in Charlotte on October 16, 2012, at age 64. Helen Cappleman was born on August 25, 1948, to Virginia Brown and William Franklin Cappleman, Jr, of Winter Garden, Florida. She was educated at local schools before attending Wesleyan College, Macon, GA, and graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill. She earned a Masters and a PhD in Education from Duke University. Helen was an original author and coordinator of the whole language instruction program, Success in Reading and Writing. After teaching at Queens College, Charlotte, Helen worked for twenty years as a consultant to school systems across the country, promoting the Success program and organizing numerous workshops for teachers. She was also the author of Jumpstart, a literacy program she developed for the U. S. Job Corps. Since 2002, she was employed by the Clover, SC School District, first as the District Curriculum Coordinator, then as a fifth grade classroom teacher. She is survived by her siblings: Dr. William Cappleman and wife Mary, Charlotte; Mary Zahl and husband Paul, and Dr. John Cappleman and wife Kay, of Winter Garden, Florida; nine nieces and nephews; and a growing number of great-nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed as a devoted sister and aunt. In addition to her remarkable career as an educator, Helen's loves included traveling with friends; the Gingercake Community near Jonas Ridge, NC; Lake Butler in Windermere, FL; and the Democratic Party. She will be remembered as an inspiration to many for her indomitable spirit in the face of her cancer diagnosis. On Helen's behalf, the family wishes to thank Dr. Reza Nazemzadeh, Allyson Cox RN, and all of the staff of the Levine Cancer Institute. And most importantly, her faithful friends, who provided loving care and comfort for Helen over the last several months. A funeral service will be held at First United Methodist Church, Winter Garden, FL, at noon on Monday, October 29th. A memorial service will be held in the Francis Chapel of Myers Park United Methodist Church, Charlotte, at 11 am on Saturday, November 17th. The family requests that gifts in her memory be sent either to Hospice and Palliative Care of Charlotte, 1420 E. 7th St., Charlotte, N.C., 28204, or Mockingbird Ministries, 100 W. Jefferson St, Charlottesville, VA 22902. Online condolences may be made at www.carolinafuneral.com. Arrangements entrusted to Carolina Funeral Service & Cremation Center.