Lela R. "Lee" Chapman

1938 - 2016

LELA "LEE" R. CHAPMAN Lela "Lee" R. Chapman, 77 of Fortuna, California died August 8, 2016 from a brain aneurysm at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, California surrounded by her devoted family. Lee was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. She was born in St. Louis, Missouri on October 17, 1938 to Arthur Byerly and Lelia Ray Byerly. Lee is survived by her husband of 52 years Cliff Chapman Sr., her children Michael (Becky Chapman), Kellie (Lorelee Cox), Clifford (April Chapman), and Thomas (Monica Chapman); her 14 grandchildren: Samantha (Joshua Brown), Aleigh, Ryan, Merek, Marisa, Joshua, Darrell, Christopher, Anthony, Gannon, Michael, Victoria, Ethan, Gabrielle; her four great grand children Alexis, Carter, Elijah and Emery Lee; her brother Ray Arthur Byerly (Harriet) of St. Louis Missouri; nephews Johnny (Sue Abel), Pat Abel of Forest Grove & Tillamook, Oregon. Lee is preceded in death by her parents, sister Joyce Abel and son Robert. Lee was the heart of the family, often having daily contact with one or more of the children, the grandchildren or the great-grandchildren. Family was important to Lee. Lee was a homemaker most of her married life, taking care of her five children and later working in Optometrist offices in Eureka and Santa Rosa. Lee was known for her straightforward personality, and her ability to make everyone feel comfortable and part of any group. Lee's ability to see and bring out the best in everyone she met was legendary. Her smile and bubbling personality were infectious and unforgettable. Many of her friends succumbed to her wit and subtle humor and quickly found themselves under her spell. Lee was the most gracious host and enjoyed entertaining her friends and family. With profound sorrow in this loss, her family and friends will miss Lee. There will be a Celebration of Life to be held on August 28, 2016 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Elks Lodge at 445 Herrick Avenue, Eureka, CA. Cards may be sent to the Chapman family at 1846 Kelli Way, Fortuna, Ca. 95540 or donations in memory of Lee may be made to Cal-Ore Life Flight N661TC Flight Team Memorial Fund through Humboldt Area Foundation at 363 Indianola Road, Bayside, CA 95524 or visit their website at http://www.hafoundation.org/Giving or Humboldt Hospice Care at Hospice of Humboldt 3327 Timber Fall Court Eureka, CA 95503 or visit their website at http://www.hospiceofhumboldt.org/ Please sign the guestbook at www.times-standard.com