Stonewall Jackson class of '77

Pictures and stories about our classmates that have gone on...
Please let us know if you have any photos or stories to contribute.

Terri Chapman

Knew Terry from 1st-2nd grade at Watts. Always remember her because she used to kick me in my shins every time I walked by her desk!!! Guess she knew way back then what kind of guy I was going to grow up to be!!! Miss ya Terry....my shins healed a long time ago so RIP!!

Tribute #2 by Cindy Clark

    I have wanted to put an entry on this page for awhile, but wanted to properly remember Terri and didn’t know what to say. But this morning (Thanksgiving Day 2010) I woke early and for some reason Terri was in my thoughts. I decided now was the time, for when I count my blessings on this holiday, I truly am grateful for the friendship I had with Terri.
    We met in third grade at J. E. Robins. It wasn’t long before we were going to each other’s houses after school. Sometimes I got rides home when her mom picked her up from school – rides home were always appreciated since the walk home was all up hill. I can remember many times riding my bike over to her house on the weekends or during the summer. We went to Lincoln together, and our world expanded with the experiences there. At the end of 8th grade my family moved to Puerto Rico for 18 months. She gave me a surprise going away party that I remember to this day, and so appreciated her caring and friendship. While living in Puerto Rico I exchanged letters with her and some other friends. I even got to call her a couple times (long distance calls were a big deal back then). She wrote an article for the Lincoln Log about my experiences there and sent me a copy. We stayed close, though far away from each other.
    My other best friend at Lincoln was Sandy Rahall (Tolbert). When my family returned to Charleston during the winter break of 10th grade, both Sandy and Terri were waiting for me on the school steps at Stonewall when I went to register for classes. They wanted to be sure we got as many classes together as possible. We all got to know Marilee Collins (Haynes) at Stonewall and the four of us were together almost all the time - at each others’ houses, hanging out at Pizza Hut, and even took an evening English college class together during our sr. year (for which I was very grateful when I went to Purdue and didn’t have to take the dreaded Freshman English course). Terri introduced us to Backgammon and we had our own (very competitive) tournaments. She game me a Backgammon set one year for a gift, which I still have today. I sometimes felt like I was taking my life in my hands when I rode with her but we never had an accident - just some near misses!
    I can remember us having philosophical discussions and often we didn’t agree. At that time I saw most everything in black and white, while she was already seeing things in shades of gray. I didn’t get that enlightened until college. She was extremely intelligent, a dear friend, and always up for a challenge. My years growing up were enhanced by knowing Terri and having her in my life. She will always be a part of me, and in my thoughts. On this day I am thankful for many things, and my beloved friend, Terri Chapman, is one of them.

Tribute #3 by Linda Williams McCarthy

    I have unfortunately lost touch with so many friends after so many years, but was looking to re-connect through the internet. Terry was top of my list of people I had lost touch with but wanted to refind - and I was shocked to find out she had passed. Although I hadn't seen her since college, I thought about her and missed her nearly every day. I am deeply saddened to know that I will have to continue missing her, but it doesn't surprise me to learn that she gave so much of her time and talent to helping other women struggling with the same disease. I will always miss her.

Tribute #4 by Jerry Pernell

    I too was shocked to read about Terri's passing. I was actually on here looking for Scott Walker's memorial since he died last June but didn't see it. Anyway, I remember Terri but only for a couple of years from Elementary school. I sat right beside her during the 4th grade at J.E. Robins. Initially, I liked her and I thought we were good friends. That is, until she called me stupid in front of the entire class! Wow. I STILL remember that incident to this day like it was yesterday! Months after that happened, I finally asked her why she had embarrased me like that and she said it was because she had a crush on me but I had been ignoring her (I had no clue - I was only 9!). Geez! Hell hath no fury.... Later that year, of all things, we were picked to sing a duet during the yearly Spring show and I was petrified that she was going to embarrass me again somehow. Luckily, she didn't. But she also never apologized either (I'm still having that problem with the opposite sex lol). And for the last 40+ years, I really had wanted to know if she remembered that incident but I felt stupid (again) in even asking and now I will never know but I doubt that she would have. Believe me, I wish I DIDN'T! And when we moved in the 5th grade, she was still mad at me lol. But I've talked to several old friends from that time about her (and the rest of the kids) and it sounds like she grew up and became a nice person so that's all that matters. And I would hope that she would find this story about her hilarious. I still do!