Carol Elaine Chapman

Carol Elaine Chapman, 52, of Austin, passed away Monday, November 14, 2016.  Carol was born August 23, 1964 in Gonzales to Ivory Ray Chapman and Kathryn Marie Tucy Chapman.  She was a member of Holy Temple of Jesus Christ # 2 Church in Gonzales.  Carol presently was working as the Director of Learning Support Services for the Austin Independent School District.

Carol was born and raised in Gonzales, attending local schools and participating in extracurricular activities.  She had been active in the Gonzales High School Band earning first chair first part in the clarinet section.  She was President of the student Body Council and graduated with the Class of 1982 the distinguished top 10 percent of her class.  Carol graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor’s degree in Education.  She returned to Gonzales for one year and taught reading at the junior high level before moving to the Austin Independent School District in 1987 as a reading teacher.  While working, Carol continued her education receiving her Master’s degree in Educational Administration.  Carol’s tenure in the district includes working as an assistant principal in Mendez middle school and Bowie high school, principal at Webb and Dobie middle schools and she had served one year as a principal of the Pflugerville School District.  More recently Carol had served as principal of the Austin District’s Alternative Learning Center and presently was working as the Director of Learning Support Services for the Austin Independent School District.

As a young girl Carol loved to read.  Seldom would Carol be found without a book to read.  She encouraged her little brother Leonard to read as well.  Carol was driven to succeed but success for her may be interpreted differently from most.  Hers was a world of helping others, in many capacities such as helping others to achieve a greater literacy, a higher regard for themselves and others and assisting in identifying life’s difficulties that hinder personal growth or hope.  Her strengths were a desire for harmony, intellectuality, competition and deliberative in achieving her goals.   Carol clearly loved and cared deeply and passionately for others.  So much so that at times she sought bodies of water for peace.  The energy of flowing water, the sound of waves crashing the shoreline and the refreshing feeling of wading in along the beach reenergized her spirit and strength to carry on. 

Carol was a devoted daughter and mother.  She believed in family and treasured everything good about being a part of a loving family.  She knew that a family would share in the triumphs and tragedies in life and the most of all, love.  Carol was a strong mother, not unlike her own mother.  She valued intellect and compassion and instilled these beliefs in her daughter Amber.  Though Carol gave of herself frequently to the needs of others, she always would strive to first meet the needs of Amber.  She taught Amber to never quit, never stop trying and to always hold her head up, if not for pride then for knowing her momma loves her.

Carol Elaine Chapman is survived by her loving daughter, Amber Elizabeth Mannie of Austin, her devoted mother, Kathryn Marie Chapman of Gonzales, sister-in-law, Angela Chapman of Frisco, niece, Lauren Chapman and nephew Leonard Chapman, II both of Frisco, best friends Sherri Vault of Dallas and Gilbert Hicks of Austin and several aunts, uncles and cousins.  She was preceded in death by her father, brother, Leonard Chapman, grandmother, Dora Malisa Hansford, grandfather, Sylvester Tucy and several beloved aunts and uncles.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 22, 2016 in the First United Methodist Church in Gonzales with Elder Paul McKinney officiating.  Interment will follow in the Gonzales City Cemetery.  Pallbearers: Dwayne Washington, Gregory Tucy, Eugene Washington, Christopher Tucy, Ronald Hunt, and Michael Vault.  Honorary pallbearers include: Gilbert Hicks, Ron Gonzales, her first cousins and her colleagues from AISD.  The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday evening in Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.  Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.  Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.