Frederick Chapman

Mr. Frederick Ferdinand Chapman, 76, was born on June 6, 1941, and departed this life in the early morning hours of Saturday, June 10, 2017, at NHC National Health Care in Mauldin, South Carolina. He was the youngest son of the late Professor John Henry Chapman and Mrs. Beatrice Ruth Chapman Thomas.

He lived in the Chapman Grove Community for most of his life, having begun his education at Chapman Grove School and joining the New Pleasant Grove Baptist Church at an early age. He attended Fisk University, Nashville, TN and Friendship Junior College, Rock Hill, South Carolina where he received his Associates Degree. He served in the United States Navy from May 1965 through March 1966.

Ferdinand, as he was so lovingly called by friends and family, was an accomplished musician who served as pianist and organist for multiple churches in the Greenville County area, including Reedy Fork Baptist Church and Reedy River Missionary Baptist. He was the organist at Reedy River Missionary Baptist church for over twenty-five years until March 2001. He was employed by J. P. Stevens Company and Michelin North America, Greenville County, SC for many years where he was loved and respected by his fellow employees.

In 2001, he was involved in an accident that changed the course of his life. Since 2002, he was a resident at NHC Health Care. Over the past fifteen years, while at NHC, he was a beacon of light for all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Everyone who visited him was greeted with a big smile and an encouraging word. He never lost his love of music, always participating in singing and musical events at NHC.

He leaves to mourn his passing, a sister, Dr. Claudette Chapman Cureton of Mauldin, SC; a niece and nephews, Ruthye (Ben) Cooley of Charlotte, NC; Stewart (Carmen) Cureton of Lithonia, GA; Charles Cureton, Simpsonville, SC; Sam (Lisa) Cureton, Mauldin, SC; Karl Keith, Clover, SC; Jeffrey Keith, Tampa, FL; Reuben Keith, Charlotte, NC; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.