Anna Chapman

Anna Zieren Chapman, 93, of Carmi passed away at 12:02 p.m., Monday, February 17, 2014 at Wabash Christian Retirement Center in Carmi. She was born May 1, 1920 in Burnt Prairie, IL the daughter of Orlin Houston and Margaret Ellen (Nibling) Carter. Anna married B.J. "Bud" Zieren on October 7, 1940 and he preceded her in death on March 20, 1986. She later married Raymond Chapman in 1997 and he preceded her in death in 2000. Anna was raised on a farm in Epworth, IL. She received her teaching degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She began her teaching career at Pleasant Valley School which was a one room school. She taught there for two years and had seven students. Anna went on to teach First Grade at Jefferson School for 33 years. She was a lifetime member of Emmanuel United Methodist Church, the Illinois Retired Teachers Association and the White County Retired Teachers Association.

Anna is survived by her two sons and daughters-in-law, Dr. James and Adri Zieren of Carmi and William and Cile Zieren of Oxford, MS. Also surviving are five grandchildren, Joseph and Erica Zieren of Carmi, Dr. Jason and Jennifer Zieren of Mt. Vernon, IN, Carrie and Brock Bolerjack of Carmi, Jon and Jeannie Zieren of Oxford, MS and Dr. Ben and Erin Zieren of Jackson, MS; 10 great-grandchildren, Jaralynn, Adrea, Danica, Marabeth and Johanna Zieren, Isabella and Carter Zieren, Luke and Juliana Bolerjack and Cullen Zieren to whom she left this piece of advice, "Do what's right, keep your word and try to be somebody. Don't be lazy."

She was preceded in death by her parents, Orlin and Ellen Carter, two husbands, B.J. "Bud" Zieren and Raymond Chapman and a brother, William Carter.