Elizabeth Jane Chapman

Obituary ELIZABETH “BETTY JANE” CHAPMAN (nee YOUNG), the only child of the late Melvin Young and Josephine Davis Young, was born on June 7, 1931 in Baltimore, Maryland. She departed this life on October 16, 2013, after a brief illness. She received her education at Frederick Douglass High School in Baltimore. On July 31, 1949, she married Walter A. Chapman, Jr., and from this union three daughters, Brenda, Kathy and Tracey, were born. Betty Jane spent her life caring for the children of family members and neighbors. The last two children she cared for were her only grandchildren, Kiana and Naiya. After her children were grown, Betty Jane went to work for Red Balloon Day Care Center as a cook. There the children were able to enjoy delicious meals prepared by “Miss Betty.” Family members and friends were also often heard raving about Betty Jane’s cooking; especially her fried chicken and fried shrimp. After leaving Red Balloon, she also worked at Kiddie Academy and Grace and St. Peter’s preparing meals for the students. In later years, she returned to Red Balloon as a teacher’s assistant working with the four year old students. “Miss Betty” loved her students and they all loved her. An avid sports fan, she enjoyed a variety of sports. As a teenager, she would take trips to New York to attend Brooklyn Dodgers games. In later years, she became a longtime season ticket holder for the Baltimore Colts and was excited to follow the Ravens when football returned to town. On the spot, Betty Jane was able to provide sports statistics for any team or player. For many years, she participated in a tenpin bowling league team at Colt Lanes in Woodlawn and often traveled out of town with friends to enjoy bowling tournaments as a spectator. She enjoyed laughing and making others laugh with her quick wit and jokes. She leaves to cherish her memory: daughters, Brenda E. Chapman, Kathy R. Chapman and Tracey L. Chapman; granddaughters, Kiana M. Durden (Michael), Naiya C. Chapman-Weems; grandson, Kevin L. Watson, Sr. (Carla); two great-grandchildren, KJ Watson and Kyah Watson; three special friends, Ann Killikelly, Ethel Handy and Addie Bagley; and a host of other relatives and friends.

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Elizabeth Jane Chapman

June 7, 1931 - October 15, 2013