Chapman, Larry and Cathy R. Berryman

Lea County Families and Histories, "Then and Now", Vol II, 1984

Submitted by: Cathy Ruth Chapman

     Larry Keith Chapman, son of James Tomas Chapman. (b: Sept. 10, 1920, Adona, Arkansas) and Lena Pearl Melton,) B: Sept. 27, 1932, Lamesa, Texas), was born October 14, 1955, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 1957 Larry’s family moved to Hobbs. After working for the Ford Dealership (known as Spanol, then Bush, the Bosch Ford) for 11 years, Jim opened Chapman’s Body Shop on Dec. 1, 1968. Larry began part time there at age 12 and is now shop foreman. In 1973 Larry, graduated from Hobbs High School and in 1975 graduated from New Mexico Junior College with a Bachelor of Science Degree.

     I, Cathy Ruth Berryman, daughter of Edward Doyle Berryman (B: June 3,1910, Robert Lee, Texas) and Ina Bell Rodgers (B: Jan 29, 1922 at Eunice), was born in Hobbs on May 27, 1955.I attended kindergarten through High School in Eunice. I was privileged to be in the first class to attend the new Caton Junior High in 1969.

     May 1975 was an important year for me, not only did I graduate, but May 3^rd I met Larry, my future husband.  We were introduced n a blind date by Mike Little, a mutual friend of ours. I was more than a little curious when Mike to me he knew someone who was just my type. By October, marriage plans were being made and January 3^rd, 1976, eight months from the day we met, we were married at the First Baptist Church, Eunice, by Reverend Dean Mathis. We made our home in Hobbs and joined Taylor Memorial Baptist Church where Dean Mathis is pastor.

     Two days after Larry’s 25^th birthday, on October 16, 1980, God blessed us with our precious son, Cody Michael Chapman. He has been such a joy to us. A daughter Miranda Cleste was stillborn July 12, 1983 and buried July 15thh 1983, in Eunice.

     We enjoy living in Lea County and being part of a growing community.