My Aunt Jean died yesterday

I really should post to this blog more often. Sadly, I always wait for some major life event to spur me to write. This time is no different.

My Aunt Jean, a beautiful woman with a huge heart and sweet spirit, died Monday after a short illness. She was, without a doubt, my favorite aunt, just as her husband, my Uncle Clarence (who was my dad's brother), was my favorite uncle. I learned a lot from both of them over the years, and now that she has died (Uncle Clarence died three years ago), my cousin Karen and I (and our two sons) are the last of the family to survive. It's kind of a sobering thought. My son is the last male Chappell.

Funny story: My son might not exist -- nor me -- were it not for my Aunt Jean. She used to work with mom, and introduced her to my dad. Whey they started dating, Aunt Jean also warned my mom that my dad was bad news, and she might not want to date him, so I guess you could say that's a wash. Either way, I'm pretty sure the introduction helped bring me about.

Here's my aunt's obituary. I will be flying down Sunday morning to attend the service, and at my cousin's request, sing the same song I sang at my uncle's funeral at my aunt's request -- Beulah Land. Pray I make it through the song. It's made more difficult by the fact they attended a Church of Christ. They don't believe in music. A cappella is it.

A memorial service for Norma Jean Shipp Chappell will be held Sunday, October 21, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. at the Ohatchee Church of Christ. The family will receive friends at 2 p.m. Mrs. Chappell passed away Monday at her residence in Jacksonville, Ala. Mrs. Chappell was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Clarence Edward Chappell. Her daughter, Karen Chappell Davis, son-in-law John W. Davis and grandson Caleb Chappell Davis survive her. She also leaves behind one brother Charles Shipp and his wife Margie, sister-in-law Mary Shipp, nieces and nephews, and many, many friends. Mrs. Chappell grew up in Corner, Ala., and graduated from Corner High School. She worked for various employers and was retired from the State of Alabama, where she worked as a secretary for over 20 years. A giving and generous person all of her life, she has chosen to continue giving in her passing and has donated her body to the UAB Anatomical Donor Program. The family requests no flowers. Please honor her memory by giving to the charity of your choice.

I fly into Atlanta at 9 a.m. Sunday, and fly out of Atlanta at 1 p.m. Monday, so this is a quick trip. I'm sorry there won't be time for visits with friends.