Curtis Bivins Chapman

Curtis Bivins Chapman, 83, an outstanding business, church, and community leader, passed away peacefully on January 23, 2018 at his home in Thomasville, Georgia. His contributions to the business community, his church, and to the cultural life of Thomasville and his home town of Colquitt, Georgia were significant. Born in 1934 in Colquitt, Georgia to Minnie Laura (Cobb) Chapman and Curtis Iverson Chapman, Curtis B. Chapman (also known as "Buddy") graduated from Miller County High School in 1952. Upon his high school graduation, Curtis attended Mississippi State University. While in Mississippi, Curtis met his first wife, Rosalee Young Chapman, to whom he was married for 32 years. Soon after he married, Curtis entered the United States Army in 1954. While in the Army, Curtis was stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado Springs, Colorado during the Korean conflict. His son, Toby, was born in 1956 in Colorado Springs.
Upon receiving an honorable discharge, Curtis and his family relocated to Tallahassee, Florida where he graduated from Florida State University with a B.S. in History. While pursuing his studies at FSU, Mr. Chapman obtained entry level employment with Flowers Baking Company. After graduation, his daughter Lori was born in 1961. Curtis eventually relocated to Thomasville in 1967, holding various positions with increasing responsibility throughout his career which spanned 43 years. As his children were growing up, Mr. Chapman coached the Flowers Sunbeam Little League Baseball team, of which ten members of the team went on to serve Flowers Foods in a leadership capacity. Curtis Chapman retired as the Senior Vice-President of Flowers Foods, Inc., having had a significant impact on the lives and careers of many others whom he influenced through his leadership.
In 1996, Curtis Chapman married Cheryl Dabbs and his family expanded to include two step children, Dabbs Curley and Gaston Loomis. Curtis and Cheryl enjoyed traveling and visiting with family. They spent time together golfing and fishing, and attending Florida State football games.
Mr. Chapman was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Thomasville, where he served as a Deacon and Sunday School teacher. He served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Colquitt/Miller Arts Council and the Thomasville Entertainment Foundation. Curtis was also a member of the Thomasville Cultural Center, Glen Arven Country Club, Thomasville Landmarks, Thomasville YMCA, and the fellowship of Christian Athletes. He will be remembered as a generous and loyal servant of the Lord.
Survivors include his wife, Cheryl Dabbs Chapman, son Curtis Bradley "Toby" Chapman, Tallahassee, Florida, daughter Lori Chapman Obenauf (Glynn), Lizella, Georgia,; daughter-in-law Patti Pinn Chapman of Greensboro, North Carolina; step-children Elizabeth Dabbs Loomis Curley (John) of Jackson, Mississippi; Gaston Loomis (Mary Kate) of West Chester, Pennsylvania; grandchildren Amanda Kathryn Chapman of Greensboro, North Carolina, Anna Obenauf Kilgore (Benjamin) of Macon, Georgia, Brandon Glynn Obenauf of Alpharetta, Georgia, and Curtis Russell Obenauf of Pooler, Georgia; step-grandchildren Mary Ellen Curley and Katherine Curley of Jackson, Mississippi, and Emma Loomis and Ava Loomis of west Chester, Pennsylvania.
Other survivors include his siblings: Frank Chapman of St. Augustine, Florida, Jerry Chapman (Toni), sister Ethel Chapman Henley (Ray) and sister-in-law Sue Ann Chapman, all of Colquitt, Georgia, former wife Rosalee Young Chapman of Tallahassee, Florida, and various nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends 5:00PM until 7:00PM, Thursday, January 25, 2018 at the funeral home. A memorial service will be held 1:00PM, Friday, January 26, 2018 at the First Baptist Church Chapel. Interment will be held at 4:00PM, Friday, January 26, 2018 at Colquitt Cemetery, 227 W. Crawford St., Colquitt, GA.
Charitable contributions in memory of Curtis B. Chapman may be made to the Gideons, PO Box 2361, Thomasville, GA 31799, Archbold Hospital Foundation 910 S. Broad St., Thomasville, Georgia 31792, or the charity of your choice. Guests are invited to sign the online register at www.allenfh.com .