Chapman
Sheldon Warren Chapman, 86, passed away at home Saturday, June 20, 2026, while surrounded by his loved ones and under the care of Heartland Hospice.
Chapman was born August 7, 1939 in Rabon (Brantley County). He was raised in Brunswick and graduated with the Glynn Academy Class of 1957. Chapman attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College before earning his BA from Bob Jones University in 1968.
He married the former Geraldine Yawn Pickren in 1960, and together they moved around serving in the churches to which they were called, raised five daughters, and lived a life centered on faith and family for the next 66 years.
A devoted pastor, Chapman retired from the pastorate, but never from the ministry. He was also a Longshoreman, retiring from ILA Local 1423, after 15 years of service.
Chapman was a member of Sterling Baptist Church.
He enjoyed life. It was often said he “woke up whistling.” With a song in his heart, Chapman was always smiling and always happy. A man who never met a stranger, he enjoyed passing out Gospel tracts and encouraging those around him.
Striving to serve as a good example to others, Chapman was a wonderful husband, daddy and papa. His daughters thought he could do anything and, of course, he worked on their cars and made sure they were running and safe.
Chapman loved his family, especially his grandkids with whom he played kickball and other outdoor games he invented and shot BB guns. He liked to tend a small garden and build a nice fire.
In his younger years, Chapman’s passion was baseball, a love he later shared by coaching little league. He also was an avid reader and especially enjoyed reading his Bible and books on ministry (particularly those by his favorite author, Peter Ruckman) and politics.
Chapman was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon L. and Pearl Daniels Chapman; his brother and sister-in-law, A.J. and Helen Chapman; sister-in-law, Joyce Chapman; brother-in-law, Kenneth Goodbread; and a grandson, Matthew Parker.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Geraldine Chapman; daughters, Shelena Toulson (David) of Zephyr Hills, Fla., Rebecca Toulson (Terry) of Jupiter, Fla., Joanna Parker (Michael) of Brunswick, Elizabeth Bailey (Frank) of Moncks Corner, S.C., and Emily Dawson (Butler) of Claxton; siblings, Shirley Goodbread, Bill Chapman, and Nadine Moon (Don); grandchildren, DiAnne, Jennifer and Victoria Toulson, Brittany Toulson Elwart (Jackie), Nathan Toulson (Amber), Tyler Toulson (Katie), Christina Parker, Andrew Parker (Jocelyn), Ashlynn Bailey Swett (Thomas), Rebekah Swett, Joshua Bailey (Alaina), Noah Bailey, Liam Dawson and Chapman Dawson; 17 great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews, and a sister in the Lord, Nancy Richardson.
A funeral service was held Friday, June 26, 2026, at Sterling Baptist Church.
Interment followed in Brunswick Memorial Park. Pastor Frank Bailey, Pastor David Toulson and Pastor Rick Willliams officiated.
Pallbearers were Nathan and Tyler Toulson, Joshua and Noah Bailey, Butler Dawson, and Andrew and Michael Parker.
Honorary pallbearers were Bro. Hugh Harrison, Rob Hicks, Richard Prescott, Lee Chapman, the men of Sterling Baptist Church, Bro. Wayne White, Bro. Revis Wasdin, members of ILA Local 1423, the staff of Heartland Hospice including Andrew Mize, Kylee Glaser, Hannah Jacobs, Erica Wilkins and Susan Richards.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to Sterling Baptist Church, 7071 New Jesup Hwy., Brunswick, GA 31523, or Heartland Hospice, 664 Scranton Road, Suite 103, Brunswick, GA 31520.
Brunswick Memorial Park Funeral Home was honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.
