James Leonard Chapman, 89, of Covington, died Dec. 4, 2008. He was born June 27, 1919 to the late Henry and Pearl Thomason Chapman in Newton County. Mr. Chapman was a lifelong resident of Covington and a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. He loved fishing, gardening, woodcrafts and enjoyed building cabinets, cradles and toys for children.

Mr. Chapman was preceded in death by his wife, Mrs. Bertha Bryan Chapman, brothers Glenn Chapman, John Henry Chapman, Raybun Chapman, sisters, Viola McGiboney, Rosie Lee McCurdy, Sarah Ruth Ollis, Gladys Jones and Daisy Chapman. He is survived by his daughter, June Barclay, sisters Grace Henderson of Oxford, Mattie Cook of Conyers, brothers, Emmett Chapman of Porterdale, Harold Chapman of Oxford, three grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren along with several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Mr. Chapman will be held today, Dec. 7, 2008 at 2 p.m. at the chapel of Harwell-Wheeler Funeral Home with the Rev. Steven Dunton officiating. Interment will follow at the Covington Mill Cemetery. The family received friends on Saturday at the funeral home. Those desiring may make a contribution in Mr. Chapman's name to Trinity United Methodist Church.

The Covington News Dec. 7, 2008