Kelly Clark Chapman was born July 22, 1978 to Connie Smith (Haines) and Olen Clark in Athens Georgia. Due to her battle with cancer, she passed away peacefully Sunday February 19th, 2023 in her home in Tampa Florida
After graduating from the University of Georgia Medical College in 2001 she received her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing and followed her dream of working in the labor and delivery field. Kelly chose to move over to the Travel Nursing side in 2003 and was assigned a 1 year assignment in San Diego where she met her Husband Kenneth (Ken) Chapman October 30th, 2003. Ken and Kelly spent two years together in San Diego until he was relocated to Tampa Florida for a job promotion in the beverage alcohol business in October of 2005. Kelly was recruited by Aetna Healthcare in Tampa Florida, August of 2008 to work as an RN for the Medicare Case Management Team where she spent the last 15 years of her career. On October 11th, 2012, Ken and Kelly were married on the island of St. Thomas with 25 of their closest family and friends attending.
Kelly’s passion for animals started at a young age and continued on in her adult life. Kelly volunteered at multiple rescues, did home adoption visits and even worked collecting blankets for animals by creating a drop box at grocery stores so animals could stay warm on cold nights in the shelter. There was no animal Kelly would not pet, pick up and cuddle or try to feed. Kelly spent her last few years assisting Odessa Wildlife Sanctuary with raising money for food donations for the animals.
Kelly’s passion for travel was prominent throughout her life while venturing overseas to Europe or taking a cruise to the Caribbean Islands. Taking a cruise with her family was one of her most favorite things to do. Kelly always had religion in her life but her strong Southern Baptist faith led her back to God even more when she was saved August 30th, 2022 after being diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroendocrine Cancer that had metastasized from her colon to liver which ended her life.
Kelly Clark Chapman is survived by her parents Connie Smith and step father Granger Smith and her birth father Olen Clark and Step Mother Allene (Tousie) Clark. She is additionally survived by her husband Kenneth (Ken) Chapman, their two fur baby bulldogs Congo and Jada along with her birth sister Amy Clark, and half sister and brother Kim Mc Daniel and Kip Adams.
Funeral services will be held 2 pm Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023 at Ivie Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Scott Roper officiating. Burial will follow in Grey Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends 12 pm until the funeral hour Saturday at the funeral home.
Arrangements are in the care of Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, GA.
