Martha Chapman

Martha Chapman, age 81, strode through the Pearly Gates on Saturday, March 30, 2024, decked out in her favorite Talbot's outfit and coordinating lip gloss. Martha was a proud native Texan, born on July 22, 1942, to William Searcy Windsor and Lillie Mae Windsor. She was a Beta Club member at Irving High School and graduated in 1960.

While a young woman, Martha's beauty was noticed by a talent scout who wanted her to take a Hollywood screen test. Her parents declined the opportunity, thinking that "actress" was not a proper profession for a good Methodist girl.

Martha was not only beautiful-she was brainy. Though her SAT scores would have secured admission to Rice University, she went to secretarial school. She married John Dickson in 1961 and had a daughter, Lisa, in 1962.

In 1970, Martha re-entered the workplace at a time when women held jobs primarily as teachers, nurses, or administrative assistants. During the next thirty years, Martha shattered numerous glass ceilings, becoming the first female underwriter with General Reinsurance in 1976. When she retired in 2000, she had risen to the rank of Senior Vice-President of Underwriting at Scottsdale Insurance.

Throughout her life, Martha never lacked for male attention. After her first divorce, she married Charles Lynch. Later, she enjoyed a 29-year marriage with her third husband, James Chapman. Martha was passionate about going on travel adventures with her spouse, siblings, grandchildren, and close friends. She loved entertaining, cooking, and reading. Martha faced all of life's obstacles with grit, grace, and good humor. She adored Elvis and her pet dogs. She enjoyed marathon shopping sessions with her sister, Judy, and daughter, Lisa. She had many happy retirement years in Mills River, NC and Tellico Village, TN.

Due to declining health, Martha spent the last year of her life at Brookdale, Mt. Vernon Memory Care, in Cleveland, TN. The family is thankful to the caring staff who all took such sweet and loving care of her and her dog, Remy,

Martha was reunited in Heaven with her parents, Bill & Lillie Windsor; husband, James Chapman; grandson, Nathan Glisson; and brother, William H. Windsor. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Richard Glisson of Ooltewah, TN; grandson and granddaughter-in-law, Andrew and Dariia Glisson of Aubrey, TX; granddaughter, Lily Glisson of Chattanooga, TN; sister, Judy Luther of Abilene, TX; and "honorary" sisters Dianne Farrell and Teresa Glisson of Cleveland, TN.

Martha also enjoyed a long and caring relationship with Jim's children, Ingrid Chapman (Mark), Shawn Chapman (Cheri), and Hollie Cameron (Darrin); Jim's grandchildren, Triest Graham, Madison Egbert, Taylor Van Leeuwen, Logan Chapman, Seth Chapman, Joshua Chapman, and Shelby Cameron Bristol, plus Jim's 12 great grandchildren.

Martha's memorial service will be private. If you would like to make a donation in her memory, we would suggest McKamey Animal Shelter, 4500 N. Access Road, Chattanooga, TN 37415, due to her love of animals, or the Wounded Warrior Project, in honor of those who served our country.