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Claudia Ellis Norris Chapman, age 102, of Hartsville, passed away peacefully at her home into the arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, August 22, 2020. She was born March 1, 1918, in Greenwood County, daughter to the late Frank and Jennie Ellis Norris. She was raised alongside and predeceased by her three brothers, Clifton, Jim, Capers, and sister, Katherine. Claudia stayed active in high school by playing tennis and basketball and was crowned Miss Abbeville in 1935. After high school, she graduated from Dickenson’s Secretarial School in Columbia, SC. During WWII, she worked as a telephone operator at Fort Jackson and, after the war, worked at the State Office Rationing Board as a secretary. She met her late husband, Darrell Hudson Chapman, through mutual friends, and on January 30, 1943, they were married. Claudia left her city life to join Darrell in the country and together, raised two sons, Darrell Jr., and Jim. Claudia found the farm to be a great place to live and raise a family. She worked as the secretary at Antioch School until her retirement. She remained busy by proudly serving God at her church, Bethlehem United Methodist, on a variety of committees. Claudia enjoyed traveling, shopping, walking (she walked for exercise every day well into her later years), and time spent with family. To those around her, she instilled the importance of family and getting an education and baked a lemon cake that couldn’t be beaten. Her laughter and love will be missed by all who knew her. Claudia was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Darrell Hudson Chapman Sr., and survived by their two sons, Darrell Jr. (Tracy) and Jim (Sylvia); grandchildren, Trey (Jessie), Gretchen (Tim), Will (MaryAnn), Christina (John Ed) and Amanda (Will); great-grandchildren, Kendall, Kaelyn, Jennah, Evan, Micah, Taylor, Blake, Hudson, Ellah and Lanah. The family is grateful for Claudia’s faithful caretakers, Mabel Little, Jackie McClain, and Carol Young, who remained by her side day and night. A graveside service is scheduled at 10 am, August 25, at Bethlehem United Methodist Church in the Byrdtown Community of Hartsville, South Carolina. The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to Epworth Children’s Home at P.O. Box 50466, Columbia, SC 29250.

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Mrs. Claudia Ellis Norris Chapman

March 1, 1918 - August 22, 2020