ABILENE, March 12 – Mary Ann Garrett Chappell, of Abilene, entered her heavenly home in the arms of God's Angels on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was born December 31, 1945, the daughter of the late Clyde Landon Garrett, Sr. and Willie Ann Banton Garrett.

She was a long time employee of Prince Edward Academy and was a teacher at the Heritage Weekday Education Center of the Heritage Baptist Church in Farmville for 10 years where she was affectionately given the name of “MeMar” by the children of the center.

She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Meredith O. Chappell Jr., son, William (Billy) M. Chappell and daughter, Holly R. Chappell; sister, Marie G. Fowler and husband, Hilliard; three brothers, Clyde L. Garrett Jr. and wife, Janice, Bernard W. Garrett and wife, Joan, and John R. Garrett and wife, Debbie; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Gray Ragland and Marvin Ragland; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by a sister, Alice L. Garrett.

Mary Ann was very thankful and blessed to have such a wonderful angel as her sister-in-law, Janice S. Garrett, who was always there to help and support her.

Mary Ann was a correspondent for The Farmville Herald for many years sending news of the Abilene Community.

A funeral service will be held at Beulah United Methodist Church in Abilene on Friday at 3 p.m. with interment in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends, Thursday (tonight), from 7-8:30 p.m. at Puckett Funeral Home in Farmville.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Massey Cancer Center at Stony Point, 9000 Stony Parkway, Richmond, VA 23235, or Beulah United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Eloise Wade, 5725 Bethlehem Road, Charlotte Court House, VA 23923.

Puckett Funeral Home, Farmville, is in charge of arrangements.