Alberta May Chapman

Alberta May (Brunker) Chapman
Alberta was born on May 10, 1920, the daughter of William and Grace (Harris) Brunker. She passed away peacefully after a recent illness, at the age of 97 on Thursday, January 18, 2018 in St. Peters, Missouri, surrounded by family and friends at Chestnut Terrace Assisted Living Home.
Alberta was born in Wichita, Kansas, the third of five children. Her family moved to the Fredonia area in 1932. When her mother passed away at an early age, she helped raise her sister Erma and younger brother Keith, while her older brothers Wendell and Eugene helped their father on the farm. She graduated from Fredonia High School in 1938. In 1942, she married Raymond L. Chapman while he was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri.
After several moves Alberta and Raymond settled in Liberal, Kansas where they raised their two children, Gary and Cathy.
Alberta was a homemaker and a seamstress at J. C. Penney for many years. Her love of photography led her into a 15 year career with her husband in their business, Chapman Photography. They took many pictures of events and weddings in Liberal and the surrounding area until their retirement.
She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church serving in various groups including as a Deaconess. She enjoyed being part of Liberal Senior Center Golden Agers dance group for many years. She was a collector of dolls, stamps, antique toys and advertising memorabilia, among other things. She moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma, in late 2009, and resided at Christian Villa Independent Living Center. In 2012, she moved to Chestnut Terrace in St. Peters, Missouri.
She was preceded in death by her parents, all of her siblings and her loving husband of 45 years. She is survived by her son Gary Ray Chapman and his wife Arlene of St. Peters, Missouri, and her daughter, Cathy Jo (Chapman) Vinson and her husband Wayne of Stillwater, Oklahoma, 9 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren. She loved and was loved by all who knew her.
The service will be held at Wickham Funeral Home in Fredonia, Kansas at 11:30 AM, Saturday, January 27, 2018. Burial will be at Farmington Cemetery north of Fredonia.
Memorials may be sent to the First Presbyterian Church, 1551 N. Western Avenue, Liberal, KS 67901.