Jim Chapman

Otta “Jim” Boyd Chapman, Jr., 78 (and doing great!), went home to be with the Lord on Friday, March 1, 2024 at his home. He was born on July 2, 1945 in Greenville, South Carolina to the late Otta B Chapman, Sr. and Esther Lee Chapman. Jim was married for 59 and half years to the love of his life, Sue Rivers Chapman, who survives.

Jim was known by many names: Junior (in his childhood years), Slim Jim, Oglebee, Deddy, Buddy-Roe, Big Bubba, Uncle Jim, Papa Doppa, Papa Bear, Papa, and (only said in a whisper by his youngest grandbaby) Paaaaaapa. For as many names as he answered to, he gave as many to the people he knew. Jim’s playfulness and cheerful disposition followed him wherever he went, gifting him with friends tucked in every corner of his world. 

Jim honorably served in the National Guard for six years where he learned how to cook and feed the multitudes, creating and developing what is now known as “Deddy’s Chili”. For 43 years, Jim worked for John D. Hollingsworth as a Mobile Textile Engineer. In his profession, he made life-long friends in every mill he worked. Jim built a reputation among his colleagues for his dependability, hard work, and integrity. And he did not keep it a secret Who he was serving with his excellence. Jim accepted Christ and was baptized at the age of 12 and, thanks to his Mama and Daddy, he attended church for all of his young life. As an adult, Jim faithfully served the church for almost 50 years in many capacities: Sunday School Director, Pianist, Organist, Deacon. For the last six months, he has served at Cross Generations Church as a Deacon. 

Jim, along with his sisters, was a devoted caretaker of his Mother and Father who both suffered from Alzheimer's Disease. Jim traveled to SC every other weekend for many years until bringing his father home to care for him full-time the last three years of his life. Jim was the greatest kind of man. What made him exemplary, though, was his love for Jesus. Jim carried the Gospel with him everywhere he went in both word and deed, loving his neighbor and friend with his kindness, loving the hurting with his compassion, and loving his family with his patience, goodness, faithfulness, and joy. 

Though Jesus was his first love, his close second was his Honey, Sue. Jim and Sue shared love, life, and adventure for over sixty years and together, created a family that ripples far and wide. They opened their home to many, whether for a night or for months at a time. They humbly offered care and respite to anyone who needed it. They saw countless unspoken needs and met them quietly, and without asking. Their faithful love for one another extended beyond themselves to so many faithful, life-long friendships. They adventured together from Switzerland to Canada to Hawaii and beyond, and they adventured with their friends over the years through traveling, sharing meals, and playing games. Their greatest adventure, however, was their two Honey Bunnies, DeAnne and Kandis, and then their five beautiful grandbabies. Jim was an adoring Daddy and Papa and will be missed deeply. He will most be remembered as the playful adventurer he was. From whoopin’ and hollerin’ doing donuts in the snow, to hot air balloon rides, Nascar driving experiences, flying lessons, obstacle courses, cruising motorcycles, waterskiing, boating, parasailing, go-carting, and sledding with his girls. His whistle, his engine revving, his “Yaba-Daba-Doo”s, and his little sayings and songs will continue to be heard and carried on. 

Survivors include his wife; Sue Rivers Chapman of the home; his daughters, DeAnne Young and her husband, Keith of Burlington and Kandis Florian and her husband, Donovan Cheatham of Durham; grandchildren, Eden Weden, Amaris Wamaris, Zander Wander, Silas Wilas and Maggie Waggie; sisters, Faye Harrington and her husband, Dick of Greenville, South Carolina and Lynne Yankle and her husband, Bob of Burlington; nieces and nephews, and many great-nieces and great-nephews.

The funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at Lowe Funeral Home Chapel by Pastor David Grinnell with the burial to follow at Alamance Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 11:00-12:45 pm Tuesday, prior to the service at the funeral home and other times at the home. 

Memorials may be made to Authoracare Collective Hospice, 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC 27215 or Cross Generations Church, P O Box 891, Burlington, NC 27216.