Jack Delano Chapman

Jack Delano Chapman, 86, of Gray, passed away Sunday morning, Feb. 14, 2021, after a brief illness.  Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 17, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at Plentitude Baptist Church, Gray, Georgia with the Reverend Tommy Freeman and Mike Gordon officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service.  No formal visitation will be held but the family invites all who wish to come to Harts, Jones County Chapel, to sign the registry that will be available.  Jack will lie in state at Hart’s Mortuary, Jones County Chapel, Tuesday from 12:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.  The family requests that everyone observes social distancing and wear masks.  The service will be available to view on Hart’s website a few days following the service.  Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons he served with and the members of the Men’s Ministry Group at Plentitude.  The family requests memorial donations in Jack’s name be made to Plentitude Baptist Building Fund in care of Bobby Nobles, 924 Howard Roberts Road, Gray, GA  31032.

 Born in Abbeville, Georgia Dec. 6, 1934, Jack was the eighth child of William Lester & Fannie Mae R. Chapman.  After his mother’s untimely passing, Jack’s family moved, and he attended Whittle Elementary in Macon and then graduated from Lanier High School.  After graduation, Jack joined the Georgia Army National Guard and served his country in this capacity from 1953 until 1964.  During this time, he met and married Melba Gordon from Jones County, Georgia.  They were married May 22, 1960; in 2020 they celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary.  Jack and Melba lived an idyllic life together raising two daughters in a home filled with love.  They faithfully attended Plentitude Baptist Church where Jack served as a Deacon for over forty-nine years; he also served as a Royal Ambassador Leader and Head Usher.  Jack’s knowledge of the Bible was inexhaustible and his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ was always evident.  A dedicated Prayer Warrior and servant, one can only imagine the rejoicing when he heard God say, “Welcome home my good & faithful servant”. 

Jack worked at Riverside Ford in Macon, Georgia for 53 years.  He was involved with Woodmen of the World, now known as Woodmen Life, for many years and served in several official capacities as well as attending camps and other meetings through the years.

Jack is survived by his loving wife, Melba G. Chapman; two daughters and their husbands, Dorothy (John) Terrell and Rita (Greg) Thompson, both of Gray; four grandchildren, Andrew Thompson of Macon, Anna Marie (Rutledge) Boykin of Winter Garden, Florida, Jessica Terrell of Burlington, North Carolina and Jack Terrell of Beaverton, Oregon.  He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and other extended family members.

Please visit www.hartsmort.com to express condolences.

Hart’s Jones County Chapel, Hart's Mortuary and Cremation Center, 307 Pecan Lane, Gray, GA 31032 has charge of the arrangements.

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