Barnes in Common

the magazine of Churches Together in Barnes
May/June 2005

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Mrs Violet Chapman

by Edward Jones

It would indeed require a long obituary to do justice to the memory of "Poppy" Chapman (as she was always known), who passed out of our midst on 16th January, aged 95. My very inadequate reflections concentrate on attributes I particularly remember.

Poppy held the office of Local Preacher in the Methodist Church for over half a century. In that capacity, she combined clarity of thinking and speech with an effective and audible delivery. But the root of her undoubted preaching success lay in faithful but thoughtful belief: she was convincing because she was herself so utterly convinced. Hers was a straightforward Gospel message with no place for chin stroking doubt.

Another outstanding quality was her friendliness. "The right hand of fellowship" she always offered freely, and the recipient felt the strength of the arm as well as the personality! This talent for making friends was demonstrated in various places, not least in our Women's Social Hour, which long flourished under her Presidency.

In the evening of her life Poppy endured much hospitalisation and suffering. During these times of trial she displayed that courage which springs naturally from a strong Christian faith, and in particular from a firm belief in the life to come. To what higher service she has now been called we can only speculate. But here we "took knowledge of her, that she had been with Jesus."

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