Emil Chapman

Emil Chapman, age 78, of Fayette passed away Sunday, September 17, 2017. Services will be Saturday, September 23, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Norwood-Wyatt Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Scott McQueen officiating. Visitation will be Saturday, September 23, 2017 from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Fayette Memorial Gardens. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Minnie Lee Chapman; siblings, James Chapman, Charles Chapman and Margaret Williams. Emil is survived by his wife, Jimmie Nell; daughters, Christina Russell, Charlotte Stewart (Frank) and Jackie McQueen (Scott); sons, Glenn Chapman (Beth), Steve Bailey (Debbie) and Paul Bailey (Tammy); eleven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Loyal, loving, creative, curious, cheerful, courageous. These are the words that come to mind when remembering Emil DeVane Chapman. Loyal, because he was married to his high-school sweetheart Rae McIntyre just shy of 40 years, and then to his second great love, Nell Bailey, for the last 20 years. Loving, because he would do anything for his family and friends. He always had a hug or a smile for everybody, and he was eager to share his knowledge and talent with all. Creative, because he could craft anything out of metal or wood, following in his father's footsteps as a phenomenal machinist and entrepreneur, developing projects like stealth technology for the government, making surgical instruments at Chapman Tool, building a 3600-square-foot log house from scratch, and then while legally blind, continuing to craft chairs, birdhouses, and a cabin on the lake at Camp Comfort. Curious, because he was always learning, traveling, and asking questions. He liked nothing better than to take people on road trips -- exploring new places, camping and fishing, navigating from memory the back roads and scenic hideaways of America. Cheerful, because he loved to tell jokes and pull pranks, even when facing open-heart surgery, and his legendary optimism kept him going long past his predicted expiration date. Courageous, because he fought the good fight and lived life to the fullest, wringing every drop of adventure, fun, and camaraderie out of the time he was given.  Pallbearers are Luke Russell, Mark Chapman, Austin McQueen, Addison McQueen, Roger Livingston and Bill Davis. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of West Alabama.