Deborah Reece Chapman

Deborah Reece Chapman, age 68, of West Palm Beach, Florida, passed away on April 28 after more than a two-year struggle with lymphoma.

Known as Debbie, she was born on the US Submarine Base in New London, Connecticut, the daughter of Laurence and Zora (Brannan) Reece. Her father was a career Army officer and her youth was spent on military bases across the country, though her high school years were in Miami. A graduate of the University of Florida, she worked for many years for top firms as an actuarial assistant, insurance agent, or underwriter. As a young woman, she successfully completed the Marine Corps Marathon held in Washington, DC.

Debbie was an earnest Christian and a loyal member of Churches of Christ. She was not simply religious, but spiritual. She interrupted her career during the 1990s to acquire a Master’s degree in theology at Wheaton College and afterwards spend five years with her husband engaged in church ministry in Russia, first in Volgograd and then in St Petersburg. In church fellowship circles she was respected for her love of others as well as her intelligent and wise insights on biblical texts.

She is predeceased by her parents as well as beloved older brother, Laurence Reece III. She is survived by her husband of thirty-two years, Roger Chapman, and her greatest pride and joy, daughters Christine Chapman of Massachusetts and Liz Chapman (Trevor) of Pennsylvania. In addition, she is survived by a sister, Jacqueline Pregaldin (Henri) of Florida; two sisters-in-law, Pat Reece of Massachusetts, and Katherine Chapman of Maryland; niece Heather Boone of Florida; nephew Tucker Reece of North Carolina; and other extended family members.

A memorial service will be held at 3pm, Saturday, May 6th at the Jupiter-Tequesta Church of Christ, 11701 SE 171st Street, Jupiter, FL 33469. A private burial service will be conducted later in Bedford, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, the family recommends donations to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: https://givenow.lls.org