The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Sunday, January 26, 1997              TAG: 9701260009
SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B7   EDITION: FINAL 
DATELINE: SUFFOLK                           LENGTH:   24 lines

RUTH CHAPMAN

Ruth ``Big Mama'' Chapman, 97, was called home to be with the Lord Jan. 23, 1997, at the Louise Obici Memorial Hospital.

She was the daughter of the late Andrew and Ida Jordan Chapman and was preceded in death by her daughter, Bernice Ensley and son-in-law, Walter Ensley.

She leaves to cherish her memories seven grandchildren, Bernice Louise Diggs of Suffolk, Frances Pittman and her husband, Paul Pittman of Smithfield, Walter Ensley and wife, Linda Ensley, of Chesapeake, Charlie Ensley and wife, Rita Ensley, Lynette Ensley, Lauranette Godwin and husband, Anthony Godwin, Lisa Denson and husband, Harold Denson; sister-in-law, Clara Chapman, all of Suffolk; 18 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.

A funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Christian Home Baptist Church with the Rev. Wendell Waller officiating. Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery. Viewing will be from 1 to 7 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday in Tynes-Edwards & Shivers Funeral Service, 19 E. Main St., Smithfield.

KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY


by CNB