Cecil Emma Bowman Chapman

Cecil, (MawMaw), Emma Bowman Chapman, age 100, of Taylorsville moved to her heavenly home on Monday, February 23, 2026. She was born in Alexander County on July 31, 1925, daughter of the late Dewey and Nola McCalpin Bowman. She was a faithful member of Poplar Springs Baptist Church.

The love that she had for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren knew no bounds. She spent many hours baking and cooking for them. Everyone always got their special dessert for their birthday.

After her "retirement" from Carolina Glove, she was employed by Harris-Teeter Super Market, First Baptist Church Child Development Center, and Mitchell Gold Company's Lulu's Child Enrichment Center. She especially enjoyed loving and caring for these children. She also spent many hours tending to her beautiful flowers. She loved to travel and visited all 50 states and several foreign countries.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son Gerald Chapman, her sisters and brothers-in-law, Ophelia (Plato) Martin, Allene (Lynn) Harrington, and a brother and sister-in-law, Marshall (Janice) Bowman.

Those left to cherish her memory include her sons, Terry (Gilda) Chapman, J.L. (Cathey) Chapman, Dennis (Linda) Chapman, and Gary (Barbara) Chapman, and her daughter-in-law Kathy Chapman all of Taylorsville; grandchildren, Leslie (Jeremy) Hollar, Jill (Jeremy) Fortner, Leah (Josh) Bumgarner, Sonia Pearson, Eric (April) Chapman, Ashleigh Bingham, Mathieu Chapman, Monica (Ricky) Hamby, Morgan (Beth) Chapman, Jessica (Jeff) Eckard, and Justin (Emily) Chapman; great-grandchildren, Aidan Hollar, Ivy and Carter Fortner, Landon and Preston Bumgarner, Mackenzie Pearson, Drew and Isaac Chapman, Leighton and Larkin Bingham, Alex and Davis Chapman, Lillian and Lucas Hamby, Bennett Chapman, Adisyn and Trenton Eckard, Kenslie and Kallie Chapman; also Haley Coffey and Aubrianna Foulks. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews. She will also be remembered by a loving church family, and a multitude of children who knew her as "Miss Cecil".

The family will receive friends at Poplar Springs Baptist Church on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, from 2:00 to 3:45 pm. The funeral will follow at 4:00 with Rev. Dennis Chapman and Rev. Cody Bullman officiating. Burial will follow in the Liledoun Baptist Church cemetery. The family would like to express special thanks to the care givers at The Taylorsville House, Alexander Hospice, and Drs. Joel and Amy Inman. We'll always remember the care and kindness that you gave to MawMaw.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alexander Hospice, 50 Lucy Echerd Lane, Taylorsville, NC 28681 or The Gideons International, P.O. Boх 517, Taylorsville, NC 28681.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Alexander Funeral and Cremation Service.

Condolences may be sent to www.alexfuneralservice.com