Thellis Chapman's Obituary
On January 20, 2024, Glenda Thellis Chapman passed serenely away at the age of 83, leaving behind a legacy of love and devotion, pestering and poking fun. Born on November 11, 1940, in Jasper, Alabama, to Samuel and Thelma Smith, Thellis embraced her roles as a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and aunt with unwavering warmth, joy, humor, and affection.
Growing up, Thellis lived in Alabama, Washington state, and Texas. She had many entertaining stories of picking cotton with her family, coming to Texas from Washington in a school bus purchased by her father, and the many animals she loved growing up on a small farm, particularly her dog, Bullet.
She attended Era High School in Cooke County, Texas, where she was elected FFA Sweetheart, played forward on the girls’ basketball team, and was a cheerleader. She then attended Cooke County Junior College and was voted class favorite her freshman year. While she was there, she met and married Norris Chapman after dating for two years. They were married on December 22, 1962 at the First Presbyterian Church in Gainesville, Texas and celebrated their sixty-first anniversary last December. After getting married, she continued on to Southwestern State College in Oklahoma and earned a BS degree in Educational Biology in 1965.
In 1966, Thellis and Norris moved to Longview, Texas with their first child, Christopher. Thellis began teaching at Judson Junior High School that same year. After her other children, Clinton and Cheryl, were born and old enough to attend school, she began teaching Physical Science at Pine Tree Jr. High until 1995, completing a 20-year teaching career.
Thellis was not only a mother, wife, and beloved science teacher, but also an artist and avid quilter. She shared her quilting skills with friends and made sure each of her children and six grandchildren received a handmade quilt. She also made sure to pass down her expertise in the craft to her children and grandchildren, taking them into her sewing room and teaching them how to sew.
Over her life, Thellis experienced the wonders of Europe, the Empire State Building, Carnegie Hall, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Canada, and Alaska. She led student groups from Pine Tree to Washington DC and enjoyed exploring national parks in Colorado, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Park with Norris in their travel trailer.
In 2012, Thellis was diagnosed with breast cancer, and in 2017 became a breast cancer survivor. Thellis was deeply grateful for the care provided by Dr. Larry Frase and the staff at the Longview Cancer Center. The family also appreciates the care she received during her struggle with dementia from the nurses and aides at Prime Care Hospice, as well as from neighbors and friends. Norris especially thanks their daughter, Cheryl; daughter-in-law, Renee; and granddaughter,Christina who carried on the legacy of love and devotion by helping him care for Thellis, allowing her to stay at home during the last years of her life.
Thellis is survived by her husband, Norris Jack Chapman; their children, Christopher (and wife Renee), Clinton (and wife Melissa), and Cheryl (and husband James); grandchildren Jarob, Christina, Tyler, Samantha, Sabrina (and husband Cole Headrick), and Garret; sister Olivia Rivoire; and many loving
nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Edalou Steed, and brother James Smith.
Arrangements are under the care of Rader Funeral Home of Longview. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, January 27, at Rosewood Park Mausoleum. Visitation is at 1:00 p.m. followed by the service at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in Thellis's memory may be made to the American Cancer Society or East Texas Alzheimer’s Alliance. A memorial guestbook is available for signing at www.Raderfh.com.
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