Sherman Watkins Chappell peacefully passed away at the age of 87, in his home surrounded by his family on March 31, 2021.

Sherman was born on February 4, 1934 to the late Willie Gilbert and Rosa Chappell. His mother Rosa died when he was two years old. Sherman was  raised by his father Willie Gilbert and stepmother Lily in Vernon Hill, VA.

Sherman, also known as “Tuck”, married Mary Magdalene Edmonds and through this union had eight children. They moved to Bridgeport, Connecticut in 1959 to raise their family. While in Bridgeport, he worked at Bridgeport Manner for over thirty years where he ultimately retired.

Sherman, was affectionately called “Deddy” by his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren. He had a passion for nature and loved fishing, gardening, and doing everything outdoors, including catching crows and training them. Each of his crows was named “Jim Crow”, and everybody in the neighborhood knew them.

Deddy had so much knowledge about the upkeep of a vegetable garden, house plants, and keeping a lawn green. He taught each of us who would listen how to do all of these things.

He was well known by everyone as a loving family man. He loved and cherished his eight children: Mary Diane Chappell, Rosemarie Chappell-Trotman (Cori), Glorie Chappell, Betty Jean Chappell (Troy) , Kathleen Chappell (George Brown), Jerry Chappell (Dina) , Kenneth Leon Chappell (Tawana) and Denise Chappell; 32 grandchildren; 64 great grandchildren; 25 great great grandchildren; five sisters: Pearline Powell, Catherine Edmonds, Kay, Frances Brown, Odessa Lovelace; step-sister: Elma Lee and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers: Leon Chappell, Randolph Chappell and Willie Chappell.

Funeral service for Mr. Sherman “Tuck” Watkins Chappell will be held Sunday, April 11th at noon at The Crawford House Chapel, Halifax, VA. Burial will follow at Christ Temple Blue Rock Holiness Church Cemetery, Vernon Hill, VA.

Public viewing for family and friends will be Sunday, April 11th from 10:00 a.m. until noon at The Crawford House Chapel. Following COVID -19 guidelines, seating will be limited, a face mask and social distancing will be required.

Funeral services are provided by Jeffress Funeral Home, 2000 North Main Street, South Boston, VA.