Fredericksburg - Barbara Martin Chapman passed away peacefully on June 26th, 2017 at the Fredericksburg Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, in Fredericksburg, TX. . Barbara was born on August 24, 1933 in Edinburg Texas to Bartley and Fredah Martin. Barbara, better known as "Bobbie" to her friends and classmates, graduated from Edinburg High School in 1951. She married Alton Chapman on August 22, 1952. Barbara was preceded in Death by her loving husband Alton and her three sons Craig, Scott, Steve, her parents Bartley and Fredah Martin. She is survived by her granddaughter Cassie Rose Chapman and her brother Dick Martin and wife Vivian.

Barbara was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. During Al's career in the Navy and Border Patrol the family lived in many places; Florida, California, Washington DC, Texas, and Paris France. While living in Paris she took French lessons and her teacher said, "She was the only person he knew that spoke French with a Spanish accent". Barbara loved to sing and dance. She taught her brother all the latest dance moves when they were young. She told him, "If you want girlfriends, you have to know how to dance!" As an adult she loved to collect and refurbish antiques. She loved to travel and enjoyed sharing her adventures with all that would listen. She was a wonderful story teller.

Planning and organizing was one of her many talents. She kept all of her high school friends up to date on what was happening in their lives, through letters and phone calls. They had wonderful reunions that she spent months arranging for everyone's enjoyment. Her friends were very important to her, she cherished their friendships.

Barbara was a hard working entrepreneur; she owned many small businesses in her lifetime. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend. Those who knew her will miss her laugh, her stories, and her ability to brighten any room she entered.

Thank you to all of the wonderful staff at Fredericksburg Nursing Home for all of the Loving and compassionate care given to her

A celebration of life will be held in her hometown of Edinburg at a later date.

Arrangements are by the Schaetter Funeral Home

Expressions of sympathy may be sent at www.schaetter.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Monitor on Jul. 4, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Barbara Chapman

4 Entries

Phil Salmon

February 25, 2021

I served in the Navy under Chief Alton Chapman from mid 1964 until spring of 1968. Barbara (or Peanut as she was known to us) was a stabilizing influence for those of us who were new to the service. I re-connected with 'Peanut' shortly before the passing of Chief Chapman and attended his funeral service. A year or so later Barbara and her granddaughter Cassie came to North Carolina to spend some time with my wife and I. In a subsequent visit her son, Scott, past away.

Later, I was aware that she had suffered a stroke but I lost contact and could not find any information on her condition for several years. I write this in Feburary 2021 as I have just discovered this obituary. Very sad to learn of her passing. She and Chief Chapman were very important figures in my life some 57 years ago.

October 30, 2017

Heartfelt condolences are extended to your family at this difficult time. Seek the love and support God provides to help you cope during this time - Psalms 29:11

Diane Myers

July 5, 2017

My sincere sympathies to Dick and Vivian and family. I knew Barbara during my years in Chula Vista, CA, in the 70s. She was a wonderful friend to me and gave selflessly of her time to a young mother and Border Patrolman's wife. She organized trips for BP wives that took us to Burbank and TV game shows. We had luncheons and fashion shows and fund raisers. Barbara was a force of nature and had the energy to prove it. She was a great problem solver and never saw a mountain that she could not scale with one eye closed and a hand tied behind her back. Her positive attitude was infectious. Boy, did we laugh. I have missed seeing her and I am so grateful to her for the loving kindness all those years ago. Farewell my dear friend.

John DeBerry

July 4, 2017

Rest in peace, you have reached your reward. Cassie Rose my most sincere condolences on the loss of your Grandma.

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