This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/AW.2ADE/788 Message Board Post: Chappell, McCrory Pioneer, dies at 102 Richard Cabot David Chappell, resident and pioneer of McCrory, died October 15, 2003 at his residence at 311 North Fakes in McCrory. He was 102 and died after a long productive life. Services were held October 18, at the McCrory Civic Center in McCrory with Rev. Steven Waggoner officiating. Interment was in Odd Fellows Cemetery. Following the services, Barker's Cafe catered a luncheon-reception at the McCrory Civic Center in Mr. Chappell's honor. Thompson-Wilson Funeral Directors were in charge of arrangements. Mr. Chappell was born in the Chappell Grove Community near McCrory on July 9, 1901, son of the late Sebastian Cabot and Mollie Johnson Chappell. He graduated form McCrory High School in 1921, one of only seven students in his class of which he was the oldest. All of his classmates preceded him in death. With only $6.50 and a lot of determination, Mr. Chappell, a mere 20 years of age, established Chappell's Drug Store. He had taken some training at the University of Arkansas to become a druggist. In September of 1929, Mr. Richard met Miss Velma Scallion, a junior high school teacher at Laura Conner School in Augusta. They were married May 20, 1931 with no money left after paying the preacher. A house was built for them by Vance Thompson and they were allowed to pay for it "as they could." There was never a mortgage or any papers signed, they were just trusted. They lived in that house all their married life and that is where Mr. Richard was when he was called to be with Mrs. Velma in their new home. Mr. Chappell's brother worked with him in the drug store, and this allowed him to take a job as county and probate clerk in 1931 with Mrs. Velma as his deputy. Six years later, Mrs. Velma was elected county treasurer and he was her deputy. After 10 years in county government, they came back to McCrory, he at the drug store and she at McCrory Junior High as a teacher. The couple did many things for the town of McCrory and Woodruff County. They were instrumental in the building of the McCrory Clinic and the construction of the building that houses Fred's Dollar Store. When Mrs. Annie Sue Ridgeway donated the old Pete Dobbs Grocery Store Building to the city, it was mostly Mr. Chappell's money that paid for the renovation. The Chappells were named 1997 Citizens of the Year, and July 9, was proclaimed Richard Chappell Day in 1999. Mr. Richard danced a few dances and celebrated with friends this past July on his 102nd birthday. Survivors are two nephews, Elwood Reynolds and R.C. Reynolds, both of McCrory; two nieces, Betty Scott of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Fayrene Bowen of Cherokee Village, as well as his extended family, neighbors, friends and his wonderful care giver. Casket bearers were Craig Reeves, Ellis Reeves, Aaron Chappell, Donald Chappell, Woody Renolds and Barry Alumbaugh. The family requests memorials be made to First United Methodist Church, % Rev. Steven Waggoner, McCrory, Arkansas 72101. Posted by, Gary Telford Family Roots Woodruff County Monitor