Nicki Gail (Simmons) Chapman

Nicki Gail Chapman went home to be with the Lord on May 3, 2018. She was born November 13, 1951 in Pensacola, Florida to very proud parents, John and Bobbie Simmons. Nicki attended school in Fort Walton Beach, Florida where she met her husband of 38 years, Darrell Dean Chapman. They were blessed with three beautiful, loving daughters and spent many years together running two businesses and raising their children in Crestview, Florida. Darrell and Nicki operated Tin Benders Metal Shop and Chappy’s Bar-B-Que for more than 17 years. Nicki also worked at Burton Manufacturing in Fort Walton Beach and at Russell Athletic Wear in Crestview for many years. Nicki’s sweet and charming disposition, true humility, and her gorgeous smile earned her many lifelong friends. Her strong work ethic and determination to support and care for her family enabled her to not only endure, but to rise to the call whenever she was needed. Her undying devotion to her family and love of the Lord helped her care for Darrell during his difficult illness. After Darrell’s passing in 2008, she devoted her time and energy to caring for her grandchildren. She never hesitated to drop everything and run to meet her family’s needs, no matter the cost. She was a very selfless person and her faithfulness, love, and fun-loving spirit will be greatly missed by all who were blessed to know her. Nicki is preceded in death by her husband Darrell “Chappy” Chapman and her 2 brothers, Raymond Eugene Simmons, and John Lloyd Simmons, Jr. Nicki is survived by her three children, Dena and husband Brad Willis, Debbie and her husband Chris Moore, and Elizabeth Chapman and her boyfriend James Meredith. She was blessed and so very proud of her grandchildren, Jordan Willis, Jasmine Willis, Ryleigh, Gabriel, Adin and Grayson Moore, and Emma Moore. She is also survived by her mother, Bobbie L. Simmons; sister, Eva Till; and many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. A time of visitation will be held on Monday, May 7, 2018 from 1:00-2:00pm at Whitehurst Powell Funeral Home with the celebration of Nicki’s life starting at 2:00pm. Burial will follow at Magnolia Cemetery in Laurel Hill. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in Nicki’s memory to the American Cancer Society. Thank you to very special friends Ned Stewart and Sue Hooks for all the love and support shared with Nicki during her last years.

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