LaVerne Chapman Jan. 27, 1928 – Nov. 21, 2024
On Thursday, November 21, 2024, LaVerne Chapman went to her Heavenly home. She passed away at her home in Los Alamos at the age of 96.
LaVerne was born in Campbell, MO on January 27, 1928, to J.M. Benson and Stella Bolin Benson. Her mother passed away less than a year after her birth. Later, her father had heart problems. When she was 13, he moved the family to Michigan so they could be closer to family. That is where she met Ray Chapman. They were married on January 13, 1945. Their three children were born in Oklahoma. They moved to Los Alamos, NM in 1956. LaVerne became a beautician and eventually owned her own Salon “The Total Woman”. In December 1990 she retired after 28 years in the business. She loved being a beautician and considered all of her patrons her friends.
LaVerne loved her God and Savior, Jesus Christ. She served Him in her local church, First Baptist Church. In her young adult life she taught Children’s Sunday School and Vacation School and sang in the church choir. She was very involved in the Woman’s Missionary Union. Later she taught adult women’s Bible Class on Sunday mornings.
LaVerne had a passion for writing. She belonged to the local Writers Group. She wrote many short stories and magazine articles. She had a Blog where she wrote weekly Christian Devotions.
Laverne was preceded in death by her mother, Stella Bolin Benson, her father J.M. Benson and by her husband, Ray Chapman. Also, by her two sisters, Elizabeth and Georgia and four half-sisters. She was also preceded in death by her granddaughter, Jennifer Montoya and grandson Roger Banks.
LaVerne is survived by her children, Connie Banks, DiAnn Montoya (Tony), and Paul Chapman. Also, grandchildren Debbie Banks, Steven Banks, Melissa Montoya (Rob Lamb), Brian Montoya, Destiny Montoya, Deandra Montoya, Jake Chapman (Jocelyn) and Isaac Chapman (Jen). And, great grandchildren, Amber Banks, Brandon Banks, Brooklyn Banks, Josie Chapman, and Kaiden and Kaycee Chapman. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, December 13, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. It will be held at the First Baptist Church, 2200 Diamond Dr. Los Alamos, NM. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the NM Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries, P.O. Box 629, Portales, NM 88130.