Ada Mae Chapman

Ada Mae Chapman of Rolla formerly of Cuba was born November 13, 1910 at Bollinger County, Missouri to the union of John Henry and Hattie (nee: Richard) Newell and left from this life on Monday, October 8, 2012 at Rolla Manor at the age of 101 years 10 months 26 days. Ada was born when William Howard Taft was our 27th president and her life had spanned 18 presidents. When she was born, the telephone was rare, cars almost non-existent and electrical power available in only a few large cities. It was a horse and buggy time and they washed their clothes by board in the spring nearby and had lines to hang them on to dry. She has been witness to many of the great events that have shaped our nation, including the flu pandemic, two World Wars, the Great Depression and the Korean and Vietnam wars. In 1925 Ada married Chester Punnell and they lived in Valley Park and Ada helped take care of her younger siblings after her mom passed away in 1926. Before the age of 25, Ada had lost three siblings, three babies, her mother and her husband. In her late 30's, Ada went to California with a friend. She lived in San Diego and loved to go dancing, but ultimately decided to move back to St. Louis because she missed her friends and family. She traveled back on a three day train ride. Her entire family was waiting at Union Station to greet her; they all wanted her to go home with them. It was in St. Louis that she met the love of her life Clayton Chapman. They were married in March of 1951. After retirement they moved to Cuba where they lived until Clayton passed away on October 24, 1995. They were happily married 44 years. While living in Cuba Ada was a member of the First Baptist Church. Ada was a loving daughter, sister, sister-in-law, wife, step mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, great aunt, great-great aunt, great-great-great aunt, great-great-great-great aunt and friend of many. She will truly be missed by all who knew and loved her. Ada is preceded in death by her parents, husbands, three brothers, five sisters, grandson Greg Chapman and other relatives and friends. Those who are left to treasure her memory and to continue her legacy are her step children Clayton C. Jr. "Sonny" and wife Carol Chapman of Baldwin City, Kansas and Betty Ann and husband Pete Baumann of Kennewick, Washington, seven grandchildren Christy, Sharon, Chris, Mark, Cindy, Eric and Amy, three great grandchildren, a very special great nephew John and wife Nancy Terrill of Rolla, nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, great-great nieces, great-great nephews, great-great-great nieces, great-great-great nephews, great-great-great-great nieces, great-great-great-great nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. Visitation will be Saturday, October 13, 2012 from 11:00 AM till 2:00 PM at the Mizell Funeral Home, 904 W Washington, Cuba, Missouri. Funeral service will be 2:00 PM Saturday, October 13, 2012 at the Mizell Funeral Home with Pastor Bob Knight officiating. Special music will be "One Day at a Time" and "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" by Darlene Cape and Don Britton. Interment and prayers will follow at the Meramec Hills Cemetery, Cuba. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Cuba in Ada's memory. The Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba is honored to be serving Ada's family.

Visitation Details

Saturday, October 13th, 2012 11:00am - 2:00pm, Mizell Funeral Home

Service Information

Saturday, October 13th, 2012 2:00pm, Mizell Funeral Home

Interment Details

Meramec Hills Cemetery