Marilyn Grogan Jones Chapman, age 89, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 in Houston, Texas surrounded by her family. She was born January 30, 1933 to Winston and Mary Lofton Grogan in Amarillo, Texas. Unfortunately the marriage did not last, but in 1937, after moving to Dallas, a wonderful man came into her mother’s life and James R. Jones became the father Marilyn had always wanted. Marilyn excelled at Garland High School where she graduated as Class Salutatorian, and later she would attend Texas Tech, UT and SMU. After three years of college she moved back to Dallas and began working for an oil company. In Dallas in 1956 she was invited out by a young doctor, Wayne Perron, to a dinner party of his medical associates. L. E. Chapman Jr. MD approached his friend Wayne about the stunning brunette that he wanted to meet. Larry Chapman was always known for his wit, and this was a time for his best line. He called Marilyn and asked her for a date by saying “Wayne asked me to take you off of his hands.” Marilyn, possessing a good sense of humor herself, agreed to the date. Soon they fell in love and were married in Dallas on March 2, 1957.
Over the years, the family lived in Angelton, Madisonville and Seabrook, where Marilyn was an active member of the community, serving on various boards and organizations. The Daughters of the Republic of Texas had a special place in her heart, where she had many roles, including President of the San Jacinto chapter.
She was known for her outstanding cooking skills and wonderful dinner parties. She had recipes published in many prestigious cookbooks, co-publishing some, and was featured in a KTRK (Channel 13) show where she served “Aunt Mina‘s baked crab” to Don Nelson. She loved her family and did extensive genealogy research, connecting with many extended family members along the way, none more special than Janie Turner. She had a quick wit and infectious laugh, and loved animals.
She is predeceased by her husband of 65 years, Larry Chapman Jr, MD, her sister, Judy Calvin and her daughter, Mary Anne Long. She is survived by her children, Lawrence Chapman III and his wife, Janet Greene; Nancy Wallace and her husband Scott and their daughters Emily and Katherine; Jackson Long, her grandson; her brother, Jimmy Jones and his wife Mary; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 5, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s Methodist Church, 5501 Main Street, Houston, TX with a reception following. Burial will follow on Saturday, August 6 at 10:00 a.m. at Forest Park Lawndale, 6900 Lawndale Avenue, Houston, TX.
For those desiring, contributions may be made in Marilyn’s name to Houston SPCA, 7007 Old Katy Rd., Houston, TX 77024, the San Jacinto Chapter of the DRT or Guiding Eyes for the Blind, 611 Granite Springs Road, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598.