Green Franklin Chapman

KinNextions    Home


Green Franklin Chapman (1885 - 1949)
& Eula Estelle Harris (1899 - 1964)

Photo Album Start slide show     Frank's parents See photo album of Frank's parents


Green Franklin (Frank) Chapman was born 12 November 1885 in Wayne Co., GA to James Fleming Chapman Jr. and Alice Ophelia Harper. He married Eula Estelle Harris on 23 April 1919. Eula was born 18 July 1899 in Wayne Co., GA to James Samuel Harris and Addie Docie Willis. Frank and Eula had three children.

  M i Sheldon Lee CHAPMAN was born 11 Sep 1920 and died Jan 1996.
  M ii James Myles CHAPMAN was born 16 Sep 1922 and died 2 Sep 1978.
  F iii Mary Ruth CHAPMAN was born 2 Jan 1927.

Frank Chapman was born into a family that eventually had seven children. He quit school in the 3rd grade to work. He cut cross ties for the railroad for a time. Later, he was owner and operator of the Chapman Fuel Company which sold wood, coke, and coal for over thirty years. He also opened a grocery store that was later run by his wife when he died. He was a consistent member of the Second Baptist Church and a mason. His son, James Myles, once remarked to his eldest son, that Frank Chapman, was a very strong, hard-working man. In addition to owning a store selling groceries, coal, and wood, Frank owned various properties around Waycross that he rented. He also owned over 150 acres out in the Jamestown area that was used for raising livestock and tobacco farming. The land also had quite a few pecan trees. His grandchildren can remember many instances of picking up pecans for pies and profit.

Eula Estelle Harris received education up to 8th grade, but later took courses in higher education at Piedmont College (located on Ava Street in Waycross). She also taught school in grades 1st through 8th for a while. She ran the Chapman Fuel Company and grocery store after her husband died. She loved flowers and had a green thumb. She played the piano for Second Baptist Church and the entire family either sang or played an instrument of some kind. She made the world's best fig jam. Also made great carrot juice (with celery). Her house in Waycross had a vegetable garden, chickens, and fig trees. Her front porch had a swing, just like in the movies, and was the hearth of the family on Sunday afternoons.

Green Franklin Chapman died on 30 April 1949 in Waycross, Ware Co., GA and Eula died 12 May 1964. Frank and Eula are buried in the Oakland Cemetery, Waycross, GA.

Waycross Journal Herald, May 13, 1964
Mrs. Eula Estelle Chapman, 64, died suddenly yesterday morning. A native of Brantley County, Mrs. Chapman had made her home in Waycross most of her life. She was the daughter of James Samuel Harris and Addie Docie Willis Harris and widow of the late G. F. Chapman. She owned and operated the Chapman fuel Co. She ws a member of Azalea Grandmother's Club and Second Baptist Church. Mrs. Chapman is survived by one daughter, Mrs. W. G. Parker, Waycross, two sons, Sheldon L. Chapman, Rocky Mount, NC, and James Myles Chapman, Waycross; one sister, Mrs. J. E. Murray, Hilliard FL; one brother, J. Hugh Harris, Waycross; 10 grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am at Miles-Odum Chapel. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery. The body will remain at the residence, 901 Albany Ave., until the hour of the funeral. Miles-Odum Funeral Home in charge of the arragnements.

Waycross Herald Newspaper, Obituary, May 2, 1949
Green F. Chapman, 63, died Saturday night [Apr 30, 1949] at a local hospital following a short illness. He was a well known businessman, owner and operator of the Chapman Fuel Company, having made his home in Waycross thirty years, He was a consistent member of the Second Baptist Church and a mason. Besides his wife, Mrs. Eula Harris Chapman, he is survived by one daughter, Mrs. W. G. Parker, Waycross; two sons, J. M., Waycross and S. L. Chapman, Rocky Mount, N. C.; three grandchildren; five sisters, Mrs. F. M. Ponsell, Mrs. E. E. Dyal, Mrs. Herbert Miller, and Mrs. W. K. Ponsell all of Waycross and Mrs. J. P. Herring, Jacksonville, Fla; one brother, Paul F. Chapman. Funeral services will be held at the Second Baptist Church this afternoon at 3 o'clock, conducted by Pastor Rev. A. J. Harper, assisted by Rev. R. W. Major, Rev. M. J. Woods, and Rev. Statson Bennett. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery. Hinson Funeral Parlor is in charge of arrangements.

1930 census, Ware county, Ga Waycross, Occupation: Coal dealer

1920 US census, Georgia, ware county, Occupation: farmer