Birth date: Nov 14, 1911 Death date: Nov 17, 2005
Bee Chapman Sr., age 94 of North Ridgeville, died Thursday, November 17, 2005 at EMH Regional Medical Center following a short illness. He was born November 14, 1911 in Dixie, W.V. He had resided in North Ridgeville since 1957 and Read Obituary
Uncle Bee. I just learned of your passing. The last time I saw you was when grandpa Chapman (Harry) died. You looked so much like your brother. We have missed you so much. I know you are happy to be with Aunt Lillian again. I love you. Rest In Peace Uncle Bee.
WHEN YOU COMIN' HOME SON, I DON'T KNOW WHEN....BUT WE'LL GET TOGETHER THEN,DAD....YOU KNOW WE'LL HAVE A GOOD TIME THEN. I think about those late musical nights growing up and how much I loved them. The family getting together and playing music toghether until the "wee" hours of the morning, my cousins and I playing and even joining in to sing a word or two. Those were some very memorable times for me and out of it I also have a strong love for music. Grandpa was such an inspiration to me. His work ethic, his love for music and most of all, his love for his family. I consider myself blessed to have had him for a grandfather. There was truly nothing the man couldn't do if he set his mind to it. Failure was never an option and I never heard him say "I can't". Distance couldn't keep him away from family or friends. I remember several trips back home to Aunt Daisy's(sometimes in the middle of the night...lol) to see his family. Grandpa will truly be missed by all of us and I quote this from a movie.."we are the notes and melodies, we are the music of his life.....we are his opus".
His loving grandson,
Bobby
Dad probably walked more miles in his lifetime in the pursuit of employment and his attendance at work, than most human beings have driving or just riding in an automobile.
Dad had many undertakings in his in his lifetime but his musical talents spanned a large number of string instruments as well as a flexible voice range that was enjoyable to listen too.
Dad always had the ability to draw people to him and having friends and being a friend in return was probably his strongest attribute. He was very skilled in the game of pool, but very late in life Dad decided to try new endeavors and because of his self determination, he became a very solid bowler and even later in life he decided to try his hand at golf. The outcome naturally was the same. That same determination plus a few mild expletives on impact with the ball and he would drive it long and straight down the middle of the fairway. As you can probably guess these ventures only let to an even greater number of friends that were as diverse as the man himself was.
These things were all accomplished under a difficult situation. Dad had back surgery early on in his life which left his back some what rigid. But that problem wasn?t about to prevent him from doing the things he really wanted to do and that makes these undertakings even more admirable.
Dads accomplishments gave me great pride, but I have to say that my most memorable moments of Dad and my childhood had to be my uncanny way of finding him at a grille in our little mining town, and him buying me goodies and almost an endless supply of nickels to put in the pinball machine and play it for what seemed like hours. Such a simple memory, but the kind of thing that has impact and ultimately molds and shapes the character of a young mind. I know I will never be the man my father was, but his deeds and ideals will always serve to make me a stronger and hopefully a better person for having had such a friend and father. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
I remember Grandma couldn't wait to come to WV to visit, Grandpa and her would spend the night. The next morning Grandpa would go on to Rainelle, to visit with Lucille and family, and of course, to eat those famous garden green beans! Grandma and I would go to visit Eva, & on to Bickemore & Clay to "run around", as Grandpa would jokingly say.
As much as Grandma looked forward to this, she was truly happy when Grandpa returned, her eyes would dance, as well as his did, as they sat together in the porch swing,(that he made) and visited with family & old friends from years ago, (Pal & family, Ed Roberts & family, John Protan, Bill Hapney & family, Skeens family, Carl Nichols (also formerly of Clay), he & Grandpa reminiscing of their face painting & playing music.
I watched them re-live many memories, I feel very fortunate to have had them as my grandparents.....
for I have learned from them.....what no book could teach.
LOVE AND PRAYERS to ALL of you from all of us. The last of the clan is gone. Be thankful you had him as long as you did and still as sharp as ever. My youngest, Denise, tells how her Uncle Bee taught her to shoot pool. It helped her get through college (not sure what that means). But she wasn't allowed to tell grandma Bea about it or she would have a cow. Remember the good times and know that he is together again with his lifetime companion. GOD BLESS!!!!
We have so many wonderful memories of the good times we spent with Bee & Lillian! Maurice and Bee won a pool tournment together one year here in Royal Oaks. Fanny use to spend time with him in the pool room before going to work and also at the swimming pool. Lillian was also such a JOY to us all.
Bee & Fanny made Christmas cards and other cards on his computer together to send to the family. Such fun enjoying your parents after ours were gone.
Our son Dave played his bag pipes for them too.
Made God give you peace and many happy memories to remember them by.
I am very sorry that we could not come to pay our last respects to your father, you know how much we cared about him and your mother, they were almost like second parents to us. I will always remember the good times we had in the (garage) sitting on the swing in front of the fire (stove). That will always be one for the enjoyable things in my life. They will both be sadly missed but I am also happy that he is now with his wife in a better place. We will pray for them. Love Linda and Danny Ross
Dear Family,
I'm so sorry for your loss, Mr. Bee was a very loved man. I am so glad to have had the priviledge to have known him. I worked at the AbbeWood, Sincerely, Dawn Jones
Sometimes my mind wanders to music and song.
I credit ?or blame my parents and their affinity to it.
When someone speaks a line that is within a favorite contemporary song or hymn, I can?t help but go there. (My children say ?that is all of them?).
There were few times that given the opportunity my parents wouldn?t sing. My dad would play guitar, mandolin, or some other string instrument, not that he couldn?t play spoons with the best of them. Mom would take off on a song that dad had long since forgotten. That didn?t stop dad. Their was harmony in the music and the tones intermingled so beautifully. Music was so much a part of our childhood. I still yearn for the gatherings where those that would ?or could joined in. I still see Bob on the coffee can, Wade with his classic Gibson, Bill Paxton singing Poor Boy Ain?t GOT NO MONEY, and Dad the front man letting it all hang out.
He continued up until his last? I observed him ?Playing? for the nurses . A wink, a rye smile and the flirt was on. One nurse commented ?I don?t know what you said and its probably a good thing.?
Song was with me when I opened my eyes this morning. One that haunts, accuses, condemns; yet ultimately finds us all lacking.
CATS IN THE CRADLE AND THE SILVER SPOON ?LITTLE BOY BLUE AND THE MAN IN THE MOON???????????
Do you know the rest?
Can you hear it?
Do you hear what I hear?
