Roger Lee Chapman

Roger Lee Chapman passed peacefully at the age of 77 on October 1st, 2026, at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, TN, after an extended fight with cancer.

Roger was born in Marshall County Tennessee on August 29th, 1949, to Wilbur Lee & Annie Ball Chapman. He grew up on a farm between the communities of Belfast and Farmington there in Marshall County. Roger graduated from Marshall County High School and also attended Columbia State Community College.

Roger spent his entire career as a full-time member of the Tennessee Army National Guard. He began his service in the 1176th Transportation Company in Lewisburg, before transferring to the 473rd Support Battalion in Columbia. Later in his career, he served at the Tennessee National Guard State Headquarters in the Property and Fiscal Office in Nashville and ended his career at the Tennessee National Guard Training Site Command in Smyrna, Tennessee. He rose to the rank of Master Sergeant before his retirement in 2009 and earned numerous accommodations throughout his career. Roger was a member of the American Legion Post 19 in Columbia.

While a member of the 473rd, he met the love of his life, Betty Bringle Peebles, and they were married on September 8th, 1978, in Columbia, TN. They had one child, Douglas Chapman. Roger and Betty have been active members of the Bigbyville Methodist Church.

Roger enjoyed many things in life. For many decades he was a member of numerous bands. He primarily played drums but could also play guitar. He enjoyed creating and fixing things with his hands in his shop. A favorite saying of his was, “If all else fails, read the directions.” Roger was an avid member of a local wood turning club in Columbia. Music and woodworking converged when he taught himself how to build several electric guitars. When the weather was right, he enjoyed fishing, especially with family. For some, yard work is a chore, but Roger referred to using his riding mower as “tractor therapy”, harkening back to his younger days on the farm. He was a lifelong Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, and UT football fan. The Titans were added into this mix when they changed names and moved to Tennessee. As much as all of these things brought him joy, it was his grandchildren and spending time with them that he enjoyed most.

Roger is survived by his wife Betty; their son Douglas (Jeannie Jo) Chapman; three grandchildren: Aden, Addison, and Maxine Chapman; cousins Wayne & Glen Haynes and other relatives. He was predeceased by his parents Wilbur and Annie Chapman, as well as his younger brother Keith Chapman.

The family will receive visitors at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home on Friday, October 9th, 2026, from 11:00am to 2:00pm. The funeral will follow at 2:00pm with Pastor Alan Thompson officiating. Services will conclude with a burial at the Wilkes Cemetery in Culleoka, Tennessee.

Pallbearers will be Gynn Rice, Ben Wrather, Lee Rice, Julius Johnson, Tom Williford, and Dave McGuire. Honorary pallbearers will include Roger Gilliam, Wayne Haynes, Glenn Haynes, Billy Jones, Andy Carter Sr., Gary Wright, and the men of Bigbyville Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Bigbyville Methodist Church, 3894 Bigbyville Rd, Columbia, TN 38401 or the charity of your own choosing. Online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com