Sarah Ellen Chapman-Faynan, 55, passed away peacefully at Hendricks Hospice in Abilene, Texas on September 21, 2025, after experiencing a brief but sudden medical event.

"Hey everybody. Welcome to my obituary as told by my beloved son."

My mom was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on October 4,1969, to James Arlan Chapman and Penelope Pattison. Soon after her family relocated to Olympia, Washington, where she began a life full of adventure. She experienced the eruption of Mount Saint Helens, the struggles of learning to play the violin, (She confirmed that she was terrible at it!), and the terror of being attacked by a sea turtle after accidentally falling asleep on a pool floaty and drifting out to sea during her Hawaiian graduation trip. Only my mom could ever experience something like this.

She would spend her 20s finding herself and discovering her passion for people through various hobbies and rather interesting jobs. Her careers were vast and varied. Multi-talented, she began working in apartment management alongside my Aunt Lois followed by earning recognition as a skilled and renowned bartender. Her beauty was inside and out and led her to frequently modeling for various agencies. Beneath that beauty was a tough side. My personal favorite was when she spent a few years working in Loss Prevention arresting thieves for stealing merchandise from various stores.

At 30, her life would change when I, Dawson, her pride and joy, was born. Shortly after my birth, we left the Evergreen state for the wide-open pastures of Texas. Mom used to say, "I was not born in Texas, but God made me to be a Texan."

With her roots now planted in Texas, specifically Clyde, she would go on and become a local town realtor. I believe she flourished due to her love of the land and a "sense of family" provided by small town life. The kindness was reciprocal. She treated everyone like family and that love was returned by neighbors, friends, fellow realtors, and especially her actual family. She loved being called "Aunt Sarah" by the grandchildren of her best friend and sister April Johnson.

My Mom taught me so many life lessons that I will carry with me forever. Despite her complicated health, she powered through the day-to-day responsibilities with happiness and positivity. She was a role model for facing adversity and disappointment with courage, a good attitude, and faith. She radiated a strong work ethic and the knowledge that we are never alone.

We will miss her in the days ahead, but our memories will provide comfort, peace and most of all gratitude for the many ways she blessed our lives.

A celebration of life will be held at First Baptist Church in Clyde, Texas on November 8th, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, you may donate to the PALS program at Clyde High School, the Sarah Fay "Pay It Forward College Scholarship" for students pursuing trade school educations, or the charity of your choice.