Vanessa Chappelear

Vanessa Ann Chappelear came into this world on February 6th, 1954, and on March 30th, 2022, Vanessa joined her creator at the young age of 68 years old. Preceded in death by her father, Willard McCoy. Survived by her brother, Wesely McCoy, two daughters, Iris Ann Chappelear, Tara Serafine Chappelear, mother Inis Ann Link, and husband of 48 years, Cread (Chuck) C. Chappelear, many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

During her senior year of high school Vanessa as a legal secretary, a year after graduation, she heeded her desire to aid a foreign cooperative, and working at a kibutz in Isreal the next year. After marriage in 1973, along with being a loving mother to Iris and Tara, Vanessa was responsible as office manager for her husband’s steel construction business. Of course by this time Vanessa was just getting started with her desire to achieve a fulfilling life.

While maintaining a supportive homelife, Vanessa worked as instructor of “English as a Second Language” at the local vocational school. Followed up at Franklin University as adjunct advisor of Contemporary Issues. During these years, Vanessa was developing her artistic skills with several drawing classes. At age 49, Vanessa graduated at same time with daughter Tara, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from OSU. Next up was a scholarship from SACI International, spending a gloriously learning experience for a year in Florence, Italy. The next year, she attended Oxford Brookes University in Oxford, England earning her Masters of Contemporary Arts.

Her most rewarding experience of her art endeavors, was learning and working with Nevin Mercedes of Antioch College. Nevin is a consummate visual artist, who always advised Vanessa with honestly and love. Vanessa worked in many different forms of art such as: paper making, charcoal, pencil drawing, acrylics and oil paintings. Vanessa also pursued interests in steel sculptures as well, some of her public accomplishments include: Permanent steel sculpture at Capitol University – Painting at Churchill Hospital in Oxford, England – Handmade paper dress in Florence, Italy – Writing Essay Scholarship for Coca Cola in Atlanta, Georgia – Broken Glass Installation at the Steinbeck International Museum in Salina, California – Ether paintings of “Sanctuary in Time” in Columbia University, New York City.

Over the past several years Vanessa has enjoyed working at OSU with the Youth Studies Program, and most recently as a Clinical Trials Research Assistant,

at Wexner Medical Center. If her life had not been cut short from a botched cancer surgery, and persistent heart failure, who knows what beautiful art projects she would have given us.

Thru it all, with her strong faith in God, Vanessa remained positive, loving, and encouraging to all who knew her. Her family and friends will miss her deeply, and would like to leave you with her favorite thought: “ I am stardust – I travel among the stars – when you see a star twinkling brightly, that’s me!    God Bless, Amen.

In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged for the National Pancreas Foundation in her name.