Doris Chapman

To plant a seed in one’s heart…to root it in love…

To nourish it with time spent together…

Yields a blossom that will flourish forever.

Doris Mentora Chapman was born on August 23, 1944, in Oklahoma City Oklahoma to her parents, Roy Franklin and Mayola Smart.  She was the second child born to this union. She was raised surrounded by her brothers, DelRoy, and Harold and her sisters, Margie L, Sharon, Paula, and Karla. The family moved to Denver, Colorado when Doris was an infant.  She attended Whittier Elementary, Cole Jr. High, and Manual High schools, all in Denver.

As a child, Doris enjoyed participating in the activities with her Brownie Troop, and Girl Scout, Troop 657.  In Girl Scouts, Doris would go away to camp.  She was frequently selected as the assistant to the Camp Counselor.  She was also the Secretary of her Jr. Achievement group, a school sponsored activity that introduced high school youth to the outside business world.

Doris’ first friends were Laura and Jennie.  She loved going to her friends, the Martinez’s to eat the delicious burritos. Her life time friends were Lavonne, Janice, Sarah, and Dorothy.

Doris’ mom passed away when Doris was eleven, and because her dad had to work, he had to leave Doris, by now age twelve, in charge of taking care of the younger siblings.  This after his brother and sister in law returned to Oklahoma.  So much of her childhood was spent taking care of her younger siblings.

Doris spent time helping her siblings with homework, fixing their meals, walking them to school, doing laundry, grocery shopping, and all of the other responsibilities associated with being a mom.

When Doris did get to play with her friends, she had to bring her younger sister, Sherri with her, and while Sherri was happy to go with her big sis, Doris wasn’t happy about it at all.  But what could she do?  It was either bring Sherri with her or stay home and babysit Sherri.

At Cole Junior High School, Doris won the Posture Queen competition because she had the best posture. In the annual high school sponsored Red Seals Potato Chips sales, Doris won two years straight, and received gift certificates.

Doris really enjoyed going to Whittier School on Friday nights to dance with her friends at the Canteen.

During high school, Doris excelled in math, was on the honor roll, and was a member of the Pep Club.  She was also a member of the Latin Club, the Skating Club, Thunderbirds, All School Shows, and Christmas Play.  She graduated from Manual High School in 1962.

Doris and Raymond Chapman, her future husband, and love of her life, met at Cole Junior High School. Doris and Ray were married on November 22, 1962, at the home of his parents, Combus and Margaret Chapman, where he grew up, and where the Ray Chapman family resides today. To this union Tonya, Toni, and Troy were born.  Doris’ grandchildren are Dayyan, Justin, Tristayne, Tessa, Tylan, Tate, Tru, Tae, and Andre.  The grandchildren love calling their grandmother, D-Light.

Doris began her career as a Nurse’s Aide, and enjoyed working with the elderly, adolescents, and Neonatal babies. She then advanced to Unit Secretary, and after 34 years of working she retired as a Staffing Coordinator at Saint Joseph’s Hospital in the Historic Mullen Building.

Doris was a member of New Hope Baptist Church from the age of two.  She was also a member of the classes of 1960-1964 Manual High School Reunion Committee.

In Doris’ free time, she enjoyed shopping, traveling, going out to eat Mexican food, hamburgers with onions, German Chocolate Cake, Lemon Meringue Pie, and she loved drinking Pepsi. She will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known this kind and wonderful woman.  To know Doris was to love her.

Doris’ parents, Roy and Mayola Franklin, and baby sister, Royce May, proceeded her in death.

Doris M. Chapman quietly passed away in home on Tuesday, April 12, 2022.  Those left to cherish her memory and mourn her loss include her loving and devoted husband, Raymond E. Chapman; her children, Tonya L. Chapman, Toni R. Chapman, and Troy D. (LaRael) Chapman; siblings, Delroy Franklin, Harold R. Franklin, Margie L. (Charles) Finely, Sharon E. Patterson, Paula D. Givens, Karla D. Hodges; 9 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and many friends.