Obituary of Gwendolyn Chappell

Gwendolyn Chappell, daughter of the late William and Olivia L. (Walker) Chappell, was born on January 9, 1944, in Monroe, Michigan. She attended Monroe High School and graduated with the Class of 1962. Gwen returned to Monroe Public Schools in the 1970s where she worked as a cook for the Head Start program. She continued her employment in the school system for the next forty years as an Instructional Aide at Lincoln Elementary School where she influenced generations of students. Gwen also fulfilled her civic duty as an election inspector for the City of Monroe for many years.

A devout woman of God, Gwendolyn was a lifelong member of Carey Chapel A.M.E. Church in Monroe, where she worshipped alongside her family for sixty years until its closing. She then transferred her membership to Pleasant Valley A.M.E. in Belleville, Michigan. Gwen had a great appreciation for God’s natural gifts. She didn’t hesitate to get her hands dirty cultivating beautiful flower gardens and a bountiful vegetable harvest every season. Gwen also cared for her mother’s yard and ensured her home was cheerfully decorated every Christmas.

Gwen, her mother, and along with her sister, Beverly, could often be found searching the farthest corners of Monroe County for a great garage sale deal. They always started out at the break of dawn with Gwen in the driver’s seat, sometimes arriving before the host had even opened for the day! The trio cherished this time spent together. Her mother Olivia once took all four daughters a memorable vacation to the Bahamas. Gwen was extremely proud of her nephew, Lt Col Brian K. Chappell, PhD and visited him around the country while he was stationed at various U.S. Air Force bases and was an honored guest at his retirement ceremony held at the Pentagon.

Gwen was a caretaker at heart in every aspect of her life. She utilized her talents in the kitchen to cook meals for others. Her family always looked forward to her delicious turkey and dressing, greens, sweet potato pie, and 7-Up pound cake. Very outgoing and social, Gwen developed relationships with many of her neighbors and made friends easily. Naturally, she began caring for them as well, whether it was bringing them homecooked meals, running errands, or giving them rides. Many of Gwen’s friends and family have wonderful childhood memories of her as their babysitter. She kept her door open to everyone. Gwen was also a diehard fan of the Michigan Wolverines football team. Whenever she had a quiet moment to herself, she enjoyed relaxing with a James Patterson novel or reading her Bible.

Gwendolyn Chappell, age 80, of Monroe, answered the call of her Heavenly Father to come home on Tuesday; February 27, 2024. Gwendolyn was joined in Heaven with her parents: William and Olivia L. Chappell; her beloved son: Edward Darin Chappell; a sister: Beverly Jean (Chappell) Pree; her two brothers: William Gregory and Todd Oneil Chappell; uncles: 2nd Lt Roy M. Chappell and Clarence Matthews; and aunts: Annabelle Whaley and Emma (Chappell) Matthews.

To cherish her memory, she leaves her daughter: Maria Annette Chappell of Monroe; her son: Wallace Dan Dupree of Romulus, Michigan; seven grandchildren: Brandon (Erica) Chappell, Darren (Neisha) Chappell, Christian Chappell, Talan Dupree, Treyvon Dupree, Tahjai Dupree, and Dazzman Dupree; twelve great-grandchildren: Ashton, Braylon, and Nia Chappell; Haarlem, Zendaya, and Darren Chappell II; Makenzie Adams and Jiavana Hurston; Xzavion, True, and Liea Dupree;  plus a great-granddaughter on the way; two sisters: Alice Jan Chappell and Debra Darlene (Carl) Chappell-McIntosh; an aunt: Lucy Belle Lang Chappell, PhD of Chicago, Illinois; cousins: Kathy Chappell and Camille (Chappell) Johnson of Chicago; and Derek, Lita, and Melonie Mathews of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Veronica (Benjamin) McCullough and Jackie (Chappelle) Ruffin of Buffalo, New York; and a host of nieces: Aubrey Boswell, Rosalind (Reed) Boswell, Tasha Pryor, Niveah Reed, Erica Richards, Michelle Henderson, Cassandra Johnson, and Shardae Campbell; nephews Cedric Boswell, Clifford Boswell, Richard Bramlett, Amir Pasha Chappell, Lt Col Brian K. Chappell, PhD, Gerrid Doaks, Tarmon (Cynthia) Doaks, Chief Petty Officer William (Meagan) Harris, Corey Moncelli, William Page (deceased), Robert W. Reed, Chandler Reed-Moore, Gabriel S. Russo, Bobby Stocco; and a host of cousins. Gwen is also survived by her special companion of more than fifty years: Ronnie Doaks of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and her dear friend of seventy-five years: Patty Pickett, as well as Kathy Turner, Sheree Evans, Esther Wise, Yvonne Goree, Dharamraj Singh, Lenny Harrison, Willie Johnson, Tina Sewell, Herbert McIntosh Jr., and Kristy Ngatchou.

Friends may gather on Friday; March 8, 2024, from 11:00am until 1:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service, South Monroe; 14567 South Dixie Highway, Monroe, Michigan 48161 (734) 241-7070.  A Homegoing Celebration of Gwendolyn’s Life will begin at 1:00pm also at Merkle’s followed by a procession to Woodland Cemetery in Monroe for burial.

Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.