Jean Marie Chappell, 93, passed quietly Wednesday, March 9th, 2022, at home surrounded by family. Jean was born July 17, 1928, in McNab, Arkansas to Elige Vandarial Buster and Loma Lee Howell.

Her family moved to Springfield, Missouri. She was employed by the Frisco Railroad, as Administrative Assistant to the Terminal Superintendent, where she met her future husband. Jean married Ruell I. "Sonny" Chappell. For a few days shy of fifty years, they were lifelong partners and friends. One of their favorite pastimes was enjoying music and dancing together. They enjoyed socializing with their Frisco family at group dinners, BBQ cookouts, Lowry Organ nights, square dancing, and going dancing at the Pink Flamingo Club. They were blessed with three children: Ruell, Alan, and Melody.

Jean spent her life making a home for her family. She encouraged and supported her children serving as PTA President at their school, being active in their education, sporting activities, and music events. She played piano and sang, instilling a passion for music in her children. Her home was a second home to the many school and neighborhood children that came over for band and softball practice. She hosted sleepovers with cousins and school friends so the girls could play dress-up. Jean took immense pride in her family.

She had an eye for fashion, kept beautiful flower gardens, loved blues and jazz music. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed hosting family events. She was the warmest and most devoted wife, mother, and Granny.

Jean is survived by her three children, Ruell Chappell, Alan Chappell, and Melody Stamper; her brother Larry and sister-in-law Lynda Buster; seven grandchildren; and sixteen great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Sonny, her sister Pat Jones and her aunt Marie "Rea" McDonald.

Jean wore many hats in service to others.  She took shorthand and could type like the wind.  She served as a booking agent, driver, and road manager for her sons' first band. She presided over and cooked for all school functions. She fed, housed, and clothed those who rode the rails, those that fell on hard times, and wayward youth needing a place to stay and food to eat; regardless of faith or color. She turned no one away. She was everything good in southern culture and none of the bad. Jeanie was bigger than life, like her partner R.I., and a mother to all that crossed her path.

She will be remembered for her contagious laugh, her toe-tapping, dancing, and clapping when listening to music, and her overall love for life and family. She had a wonderful life with many who loved and admired her. She will be missed.

A public visitation will be held Monday, March 21st, from 5 pm until 7 pm, at the Klinger-Cope (White Chapel) Funeral Home 5234 State Hwy EE, Springfield Mo. 65802 417-228-0056.

In place of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to "Play It Forward SWMO" to further the music education of those children who cannot afford the experience.

Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Play it Forward at playitforwardswmo.org/donate-funds/ or Play It Forward SWMO c/o P.O. Box 10704, Springfield, Mo. 65808.