Virginia Sue Clawson Chapman

It is with heavy hearts that we announce that on October 17, 2026, Virginia “Ginny” Sue Clawson Chapman unexpectedly went home to be with the Lord, leaving behind a legacy rooted in love, gentle compassion, and a lifetime of devotion to making the world a better place.

Ginny was born to Elmer Josiah and Virginia Louise West Clawson on June 10, 1953. She grew up in Hartford, KS, graduating from Hartford High School in 1971. She was very active and popular in the Hartford schools. She loved to participate in local track meets, where she ran the low hurdles and high jump. In high school she served as a cheerleader for four years, was involved in various school organizations, and was elected Queen of Courts in 1970. Ginny was always willing to lend a helping hand on the Clawson farm, whether it was hoeing weeds in the soybean fields or driving a tractor to cultivate the rows. She preferred driving an International H tractor.

She attended the University of Kansas, where she was a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority, following in the footsteps of her sisters, Sara and Jo. She received dual B.S. degrees in Elementary Education and Psychology in 1975 and later returned to earn her M.S. in Counseling Psychology in 1994. A thoughtful and generous spirit, Ginny dedicated her career to future generations, teaching at Shawanoe Elementary School in Shawnee, KS, and serving as a school counselor at Center Elementary, Boone Elementary, and Smith-Hale Middle Schools in the Hickman Mills and Center school districts in Kansas City, MO.

To know Ginny was to understand how much she loved the Lord and her family, and how deeply she believed in the power of small acts of kindness: a warm smile to a stranger, a comforting word to someone in need, or a quiet helping hand. Her nurturing spirit was visible in her beautiful gardens, which were a sanctuary for hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, loved ones, and neighbors. When not tending to the earth, she could be found cuddled up with a furry friend and a novel, engaging in clever banter or deep discussions with family, conducting extensive genealogy research, working a crossword puzzle, strolling along a beach looking for seashells, or mixing up a milkshake for her grandchildren, to whom she was affectionately known as “Grammie.” Later in life, she enjoyed becoming a member of the Mayflower Society and a Daughter of the American Revolution alongside her sisters, Sara and Jo.

Ginny is now reunited in Heaven with her parents; her sisters, Jean and Sara; and her younger brother, Dick. She is survived by her husband of almost 46 years, Tony Chapman; her children, Scott (Laura) Chapman of Fairfax, VA, Kristen (Matt) Pierce of Gretna, NE, and Jeff Chapman of Mission, KS; her grandchildren, Eden Chapman, Jonas Pierce, Ethan Chapman, and Silas Chapman; her great-granddaughter, Ginny Kosch; her sister, Jo Sweatt of De Soto; her brother, Bill Clawson of Leawood; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at Westside Family Church, 8500 Woodsonia Dr., Lenexa, KS 66227, on Monday, October 26, 2026, at 3:00 PM.