With heavy hearts, we, the Staff and Management of R. Swinson Funeral Services, along with the Chapman family, announce the transition of 96-year-old Mrs. Verna Chapman of 6911 Robert Chapman Drive, Grifton, on Monday, January 26, 2026, at her home.

Service will be held at 1:30 pm on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at River of Life Church. The burial will follow in the Chapman Family Cemetery, 3682 Saw Mill Road, Grifton, NC. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 6, 2026, from 4 to 6 pm at the Robert Swinson, Jr. Memorial Chapel.

Mrs. Verna is survived by seven daughters, Linda Chapman, Joyce Chapman, Jean Chapman Hill of Grifton, Mildred Chapman Rhodes, Marsha Chapman Powell, Lisa Chapman Dixon of Kinston, and Kimberly Chapman of Grifton, eleven grandchildren, and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

On Monday, January 26, 2026, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ dispatched heavenly angels to encamp around Verna Mae Tillman Chapman as they escorted her to the throne of grace to be with the Lord forever.

Verna Mae Tillman Chapman was born February 24, 1929, to the late John Louis Tillman and the late Velma Dixon Tillman. Her life was a testament to love, compassion, wisdom, and grace. Known affectionately as 'Mother' by her daughters, she was the oldest family member of the Dixon, Tillman, and Chapman families, embodying strength and kindness that inspired those around her. She worked as a seamstress at Lisa Clothing Manufacturing Plant and L&J Clothing Manufacturing Plant, contributing her skills and dedication to her community.

At an early age, she joined Grifton Chapel Free Will Baptist Church. Verna remained a faithful member of the church for many years, reflecting her deep faith and devotion and inspiring admiration and a sense of spiritual connection among those who knew her. She served her church by being a member of the Kitchen Committee and was well known for her famous peach cobbler and collard greens.

Verna attended local schools in the Grifton area. She relocated with her parents to live in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Many years later, she returned to the Grifton area. She met and married her husband, Robert Lee Chapman. They were blessed with nine children.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John Louis and Velma Tillman; her husband, Robert Lee Chapman; a daughter, Barbara Chapman Bermudez; two sons, Robert Lee Chapman Jr. and Ronnie Lee Chapman; and her brother, James Tillman.

Verna leaves to mourn and cherish her precious, loving, and devoted memories: Linda Chapman, Joyce Chapman, Jean Chapman-Hill, and Kimberly Chapman of Grifton, NC, Mildred Chapman-Rhodes, Marsha Chapman-Powell, Lisa Chapman-Dixon (Anthony Ray) of Kinston, NC; grandchildren, Qiana Chapman, Sonya Bermudez, Candace Sargeant, Danielle Chapman, Ratesha Hollman, Shaugnessy Sutton, Robert Hill, Lauren Morgan, Loriel Morgan, Justin Rhodes, and Brianna Rhodes; great-grandchildren, Angelica Bermedez, Ashley Benitez, Andrew Benitez, Alexa Chapman, Imani Chapman, Jhordan Sargeant, Nicholas Barcia, Michael Bermudez, Cameron Sutton, Christian Riddick, and Carter Sutton; sisters-in-law, Mother Mary Tillman of New Bern, NC, Erma Chapman, Bonnie Chapman-Isler of Grifton, NC, and Pauline Chapman-Marshall of Kinston, N.C.