Melvin Chapman

Funeral services for Melvin Earl Chapman, age 87 of Columbia, will be held at 11 AM Monday, March 21, 2016 from the chapel of Riser Funeral Home, Columbia with Bro. Larry Russell officiating. Interment will follow at Welcome Home Cemetery, Grayson. Visitation will be Sunday, March 20, 2016 at Riser Funeral Home, Columbia from 5 PM to 8 PM. Earl, as he was known to many, was born on October 2, 1928 in Delhi, LA to the union of his parents: William Samuel Chapman and Clara Bell Moore Chapman and passed from this earthly life on Saturday, March 19, 2016 surrounded by his family at Charlyn Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Winnsboro, LA. He proudly served his country as a member of the United States Navy stationed in Hawaii and his community as a Mason of the Columbia Lodge. Earl believed in hardwork and was a workaholic himself and retired as a directional driller after working nearly 60 years in the oilfield industry. He is preceded in death by his parents and his three brothers and one sister. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 64 years; Annie Lively Chapman of Columbia; two sons: Alton Ray Chapman and wife, LaNae of Columbia and Kirby Chapman of Grayson; sister, Gloria Jean Edwards of West Monroe; grandchildren: Christy Tate (Robbie), Amanda Burgess (Greg), Dusty Chapman (Roxanne), Kenneth Chapman (Jennifer), Keith Chapman and Daniel Chapman and eight great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Dusty Chapman, Kenneth Chapman, Keith Chapman, Daniel Chapman, Robbie Tate and Greg Burgess. Honorary pallbearers will be Pete Lively, Buddy James and Kim Lemelin.