Patricia A. Chapman

On Sunday, October 16, 2011, Patricia Ann Chapman gave thanks to God for her life here on Earth as she moved from her earthly tabernacle to return home to be with God. What a day of praise glory it was as she opened her arms to Jesus and proudly sang, “Jesus Got A Hold of My Life and He Won’t Let It Go!” Patricia Ann was born to the late Milford and Clara Johnson in Baltimore, Maryland on May 9, 1939. She was one of three siblings; Milford Van Johnson and Regina Murrell, both deceased. Patricia was a loving sister and she was often the life of laughter to the family. She attended and graduated from Frederick Douglass High School in Baltimore, Maryland. During her high school years, Patricia met and married Lewis M. Gwynn and their loving relationship gave birth to her only child, Myra Myshell Gwynn on May 1, 1956. As a young mother, she was driven with determination to provide for her daughter which led her to accept a position at Westinghouse where she was employed for many years until she decided to pursue a degree in education. Thus, she enrolled in Coppin State College with a major in Special Education. Patricia’s remarkable endurance permitted her to work a full-time job and attend school at the same time. Her mission was accomplished when she graduated from Coppin in June of 1974 with a BA Degree in Special Education and a position as a Special Education teacher in the Baltimore City School System. Many students’ lives were touched by her amazing instructional talents. The school administration recognized her ability to lead and used her in many ways outside of the classroom to encourage her to seek leadership as her next step in her career path. One of Patricia’s mentors was Marion Pines, and administrator from the Mayor’s Office, who offered her a position which began the course of an astounding career as an administrator. Patricia accepted the position of Director of Manpower Resources where she was the overseer as public service employment. Her assignment was to provide employees for placement in City Agencies as well as Non Profit Organizations. She became the Director of multiple employment development centers where she served as a, “trailblazer”, for the current Office of Employment Development. Patricia will be remembered in her work history as a strong leader who exemplified professionalism and many individuals have benefitted from her counsel and wisdom. During her days at the Mayor’s Office, Patricia met and married Marvin Chapman who was the love of her life until his passing in the late 1990’s. She retired from the Mayor’s Office in 1996 to take a position on the staff with her daughter Myra in building the after school tutorial program, “Simply Children”. Her outstanding expertise and work ethics aided in her daily assignments of recruitment and program development. Patricia’s love for her job was exhibited in her spirit of diligence to continue to work daily for three and one half years despite her diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. We will all remember Ms. Chapman as articulate and straight forward. She never minced words when she was delivering a commentary about a person or situation. Her description would bring laughter to her audience and she enjoyed the attention. Patricia loved people, traveling and entertaining. All who knew her will remember her style and love for clothes, shoes, jewelry, and keeping her hair sharp with nails done with a classy design. She enjoyed shopping and spared nothing to have the top of the line in everything she purchased. She was known as a, “First Class Lady”! I would like to remember my mother as a, “TROOPER”! She battled Multiple Sclerosis for fifteen years and never gave up! Once doctors required intensive daily care, My Mom took residence in a loving Assistant Living Home, owned by Ms. Corina Bailey. She loved and saw that my mother received the best of care for the last seven years and I know that God sent us Ms. Bailey because she grew to love Mom as her own. In her later years, Mom’s perspective of life changed to know that the true riches in life come from a source that is intangible. She grew to know where her true help came from and that it was Jesus who kept her spirit alert and still willing to live regardless of the toll of the disease within her body. Mom learned the Lord’s Prayer and loved to recite it during visits because it gave her peace knowing that she had a Heavenly Father always available to meet her every need. In her final hours, she enjoyed singing hymns and her last words to me with her arm in the air were, “Hallelujah and Amen”. It is great to know Patricia leaves to cherish her memory: Loving daughter, Myra Harris; son-in-law, Clyde Harris; beloved grandson, Alonzo Ramsey; one faithful nephew, Grover Murrell, Jr.; a endearing sister-in-law, Angela Payne Johnson; and a host of family and friends.

Tributes

Patricia A. Chapman

May 9, 1939 - October 16, 2011