Beloved Community Spotlight

Gladys Chapman brings to St. Margaret’s a wide, worldly perspective along with a warm, welcoming spirit.

Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Gladys entered the world with an international story already underway. Her parents met and married while living in a remote Venezuelan oil camp where her father (from Ann Arbor) worked as a petroleum geologist and her mother (from Spain), worked as a nurse, caring for those far from home.

Prior to Gladys’ birth, her mother traveled to Ann Arbor to stay with her dad’s family, but before long Gladys globe-trotting life was underway.

Growing up, Gladys lived in Venezuela, Michigan, Libya, Spain, Indonesia, Japan, and Singapore. She graduated high school from Singapore American School before returning to the U.S. to begin college. That transition included a semester at a community college in Ann Arbor to adjust to American life. She notes that she didn’t then own a pair of jeans or have a driver’s license. The next semester, she enrolled at LSU, not far where her parents had settled following her father’s new job in New Orleans.

It was at LSU that Gladys met Will Chapman, the man who would become her husband of now 46 years. They met at St. Alban’s Church — when Will’s fraternity rented the church’s hall for a social.

Their wedding, in Metairie, is remembered fondly—and humorously—as a hot day in a sweltering church, officiated by a grumpy, old German Catholic priest. It’s a story that still makes Gladys smile.

Gladys and Will have two sons, Adam and Daniel, and two daughters-in-law—both named Katie—which keeps family gatherings lively. They are also grandparents of a two-year-old grandson, Jules. Rounding out Gladys’ and Will’s household is Maizy, a cute but sassy wire-haired dachshund who clearly thinks she’s in charge.

The Chapmans lived in New Iberia for 43 years before moving to St. George a little over two years ago. Will spent decades in the newspaper business—including Baker and Zachary (when first married), and later in New Iberia for 36 years. He later served as Executive Director of the Louisiana Press Association in Baton Rouge, though much of that work was done from their New Iberia home.

Gladys retired in 2019 after 24 years of teaching Spanish, French, English as a Second Language, and Art—subjects well suited to her talents and her love of language and creativity.

Raised Roman Catholic, Gladys found after marrying Will (a cradle-Episcopalian) and attending services with him that her beliefs aligned more closely with the Episcopal Church. She was received in 1981 and has been grateful for the spiritual home she found.

The Chapmans have attended St. Margaret’s for about two years, drawn by Gladys’ desire to find a vibrant church filled with people of all ages, personalities and backgrounds. She especially appreciates Fr. Tommy’s sermons, Maria’s music selections, and, as she says, “the warm, friendly feeling I get from the people around me.”

Gladys speaks English, Spanish, and French fluently, can get by in Italian, and can count to 10 in several more languages. She says she is also a watercolor artist, a “pretty-good” cake decorator, and someone who genuinely enjoys organizing closets, drawers, cabinets and just about anything else that could use a little order.

In her free time, she likes to “fiddle with the potted plants on my patio,” read historical fiction, travel (Australia in February), and, best of all, spend time with her grandson, Jules.

When Gladys reflects on how she hopes to be remembered, she says as someone who was kind, funny, and creative, and a loving, caring friend. Spend a little time with Gladys at St. Margaret’s, and you’ll quickly see those qualities shining through.

Introduce yourself to Gladys—you’ll likely walk away with a new friend and a wonderful story or two.