Carolyn Chapman Obituary

Our dearly beloved Carolyn Chapman passed away on February 4, 2026. She shared her loving spirit with everyone, including family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and anyone who knew her. Her spirit has been born again, and she is with her parents, siblings, and son David.

Carolyn was born in Charlotte, NC in 1929, to Miriam and Hugh Goldsmith. She grew up in Greenville, SC with two brothers, Hugh and James, and four sisters, Miriam, Jane, Margaret, and Geri.

In the fall of 1955, Carolyn married Howard T. Chapman, Jr. Together they raised three children: Hugh (Bernadette (d.), David (d.) (Serena), and Walter (Cindy). They were blessed with five grandchildren: Maria Chapman Mason (Eric), Nicholas Chapman, Joseph Chapman, John Chapman (Prachi), and James Chapman (Amy).

Carolyn was a devout Catholic her entire life. She attended St. Mary's Church, where she was baptized, attended school, sang in the choir, got married, and participated in the Women's Club where she had served as president. She was also named Catholic Woman of the Year by the South Carolina Council of Catholic Women.

Carolyn was married to the love of her life, Howard, for more than 70 years. They met at Mrs. Leonard's boarding home in Greenville where Carolyn lived with her sister Jane, and where Howard ate his meals. Carolyn and Howard would walk together each morning to work in downtown Greenville. Howard moved to Columbia, SC as a bank examiner and he soon asked Carolyn to marry him. When Howard went to work for IBM, they moved several times to various states until they settled back in Greenville, SC. Carolyn and Howard enjoyed new friends in each city. Carolyn was active in the Garden Club in New York, serving as President and earned many ribbons for her flower arrangements.

Back in Greenville, Carolyn was busy with family and volunteer work. After her youngest son started middle school, Carolyn went back to work. Carolyn prepared taxes for H&R Block and did free taxes for people in need. She worked for the Council of Governments for 17 years, where she became the Director of Finance.

Carolyn was very close to her siblings. She was the last to pass on. They talked on the phone often and visited when they could. Carolyn and her sister, Geri's families shared an Airstream trailer and vacationed together at the beach when their children were young. In later life, Carolyn's focus was her grandchildren. Her house was a place for them to play, hold birthday parties, and celebrate holidays. At 80, she ran along holding bicycles to teach grandchildren to ride.

Carolyn was always thinking about and doing for others. Even at 90 years old, Carolyn would drive her friends to activities.

A visitation will be held Thursday, February 12, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Thomas McAfee Funeral Homes, Downtown.

A funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, February 13, 2026, 12:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 111 Hampton Ave, Greenville, SC 29601, followed by burial in Woodlawn Memorial Park.

Memorial gifts may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church.

Friends are encouraged to share their favorite memories of Carolyn with the family by clicking on the button labeled "Share A Memory."