Mr. James "Brother" "Sapphire" Chapman

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother peacefully went home to be with the Lord surrounded in love with his wife and family by his side on Thursday, November 22, 2018. He was blessed, “Four score and 10” (90 years old), born February 29, 1928 in Newton, Mississippi the second child of the late Murphy and Maebell (Boose) Chapman. James, affectionately known as “Brother” was baptized at the age of 13 by Reverend McAroy at Little Rock Baptist Church in Newton, MS. He graduated from Newton Vocational High School and shortly after, “Brother” moved to Saginaw, MI where he met and later married the love of his life, Beatrice Mason. James retired in 1981 with 30 years of dedicated service from Chevrolet Manufacturing, General Motors and was a member of UAW Local #467. James was also known as” Sapphire” and sometimes, the “Friendly Lucky Heart Man.” He sold cosmetics and hair products for many of the black families in the community. “Sapphire” enjoyed a challenging game of poker. He also enjoyed football, basketball, gardening, traveling, hunting, renovating his income property and he believed in God’s plan -The Family. He loved being surrounded by family and friends. His memory will be cherish by his loving and devoted wife of 68 years, Beatrice Chapman, Saginaw, MI and their six children, Emma Jean Wilson, Harrisburg, PA, Thelma Yvonne Jackson, James Chapman, Jr. (Erma),Fort Wayne, IN, Charles Frederick Chapman, Saginaw, MI, Jerry Darnell Chapman (Rosie), Rowlett, TX and Darlene Elaine Chapman, Saginaw, MI; 24 grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren; one brother-in-law, Willie Walter Sherman, Saginaw, MI; four sisters, Zinnie Lee Windham, Wydessa Chapman, Jessie (Hardy) Jones, Elizabeth (Joseph) Watson; five sisters-in-law, Leola Chapman, Mary Chapman, Betty Chapman, Mary Helen Chapman and Bernice (William) Dixs and his beloved pet, Midnight Smokey Chapman. James was proud of his family legacy and was preceded in death by, his parents, Murphy and Maebell Chapman; one grandson, Lavell Demario Jackson; five brothers, Zemon Chapman, Andrew Chapman, Murphy Chapman, Jr. Howard Chapman and Willie Chapman; three sisters, Mary Chapman, Lillie Hunter, Minnie Mae Johnson; sister-in-law, Josie Sherman; brother-in-law, Walter Windham, a host of many, many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Funeral service will take place 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 3, 2018 at World Outreach Campus, 2405 Bay Road, Saginaw, Michigan 48602, Dr. Hurley J. Coleman, Jr., Host Pastor. Dr. Tellis Chapman will officiate with interment in Roselawn Memorial Gardens, 950 N. Center Rd., Saginaw, MI 48603.

Mr. James "Brother" "Sapphire" Chapman

February 29, 1928 - November 22, 2018