On March 10, 2021 at 1:10 in the afternoon, Eula Lea (Ryan) Chapman took her last breath, surrounded and embraced by family.  She fought the good fight, finished the course of this life, kept the faith, and now is honored to gain her crown of righteousness.  While we mourn our loss of her presence...being able to talk with her, give her a hug, feel the warmth of her love...we celebrate her entry into eternal life with Jesus, and reuniting with loved ones gone before us.  Eula was a great woman.  Quiet, steadfast, gracious, extremely even tempered, witty, and the queen of hospitality.  As long as anyone can remember, Jerry and Eula's home was the center of family and church gatherings for nearly 5 decades.  As Jerry always says, "If you're not at home, you ought to be!"  And that was that.  Visitors were quickly made to feel at home.

Eula was born at the old Yuma County Hospital on November 24, 1939, to William Thomas & Ethel Evelyn (Chadwell) Ryan.  On that day, in the small town of Gadsden, Arizona, the world became a better place.  Eula was the first of 5 children.  From a very young age, she learned the value of hard work, and carried those lessons through her life.  Her mother suffered from illness much of Eula's early life, and she rose to the challenge helping to care for her siblings for many years. Jerry Leonard Chapman, her future husband, first remembers seeing her when she was about 3 and he was 6. Jerry was raised primarily in the Yuma Valley and they got to know each other at church in their younger years.  It was not until she was a freshman at Yuma High School and he was a senior that she saved a seat for the handsome young Jerry, and they became Yuma County's Cutest Couple Ever!  Jerry & Eula entered into wedded bliss for life on June 8, 1956, and it truly was a marriage made in heaven. And so, they began their greatest adventure.  Together they worked hard to raise their three children:  Randall, Rodney, and Brenda.  While they were young, she took courses in accounting, obtained her degree, and once they were all in school, began her near 30 year career as an Executive Accountant for Schwark, Vaughan & Perry.  During that time, Jerry & Eula bought acreage out on the Mesa.  Together they designed and built their dream home where they continued their hospitality. Eula's warm welcoming heart and good cooking, combined with Jerry's cheerful disposition, potato soup and homemade ice cream, allowed them to host endless gatherings, always celebrating their love of family and friends.

Eula is predeceased by her sister, Cherri Ferguson; brother, Tommy Ryan; and her eldest son, Randall Chapman, who surely must have swooped down to escort her on his motorcycle with angel wings to her eternal life.  Eula is survived by her childhood sweetheart and loyal husband of nearly 65 years, Jerry Chapman; their son, Rodney Chapman and daughter, Brenda Everett (Ken); seven grandchildren, Katie Chapman (Seann Verde), Jennifer Richardson (Cory), Jake Chapman (Tina), David Chapman (Deborah), Sarah Hewlett (Chad), Shannon Reichelt, and Daniel Chapman (Fiancé, Jessica Taylor); 17 great grandchildren; and siblings, Nancy Shirley (Paul), and Richard Ryan (Sherryl); as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 19, 2021 at Sunset Vista Funeral Home and Cemetery located at 11357 E. 40th St, Yuma, AZ 85367.  A viewing will take place from 9 - 10am with services immediately after.  The family would like to thank all involved in her care on Tower 5 of YRMC, the wonderful nurses and staff of Hospice of Yuma for their caring compassionate hearts during this difficult time, and the hilarious nurse, Jackie, with TLC Private Home Care Yuma who not only provided great care, but also made us laugh until our faces hurt when our hearts were heavy.  You will all have a special place in our hearts.  For those who wish to make a difference, please contribute to your favorite charity in her honor.