In Memory of Muriel Lucy (Waith) Chapman, age 97, passed away on Thursday, January 20, 2022.

Muriel was born in Bridgetown Barbados on July 1, 1924. She was the third of four children born to Millicent and Alfred Waith. She emigrated to the United States at 11 years of age, and became a naturalized citizen. In her teenage years she became an accomplished figure skater, her favorite pastime.

While attending Brooklyn College (where she earned a Bachelor’s and three Masters degrees) she met Robert (“Bobby”) Chapman, her future husband and lifelong partner. He often described seeing this beautiful, and very studious, looking woman on the bus on the way to class. One day he timidly asked her to go with him to a dance… They were married in 1949, and later moved to Hempstead, Long Island. He began his career as an Episcopalian Priest, but her dream of a teaching career was postponed by the segregated local school district. He became president of the local NAACP chapter, and filed suit with the legal counsel of Thurgood Marshall. She became Hempstead’s first African American teacher.

Their marriage of 54 years took them from Long Island, to Philadelphia, to Detroit, and back to New York before finally retiring in Port Charlotte, Florida. At every stop she quietly supported “Bobby’s” tireless activity in the civil rights movement, while being a positive influence in the lives of countless high school students as counselor and teacher.

All who were blessed to know her well remember her as an outstanding cook, and as a wonderful hostess every summer at their retreat in New York’s Catskill Mountains.

Muriel is survived by three children (Robert, Paula, and Alfred), six grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. She enjoyed her final years in the loving care of her daughter, Paula.

Funeral services for Muriel will be held 11 a.m. Friday, March 4, 2022 at St. James Episcopal Church in Port Charlotte, Florida.

Friends may visit online at www.robersonfh.com to extend condolences to the family.  Arrangements are by Roberson Funeral Home Port Charlotte Chapel.