Martha Hendrick Chapin

Martha Hendrick Chapin of Gulfport, MS went to be with the Lord on January 17, 2026. She died peacefully in her sleep at home at the age of 90.

Martha was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, moving to live in Mobile, Alabama in her elementary school years, then to Gulfport, Mississippi. She graduated from Gulfport High School in 1953 and attended the University of Southern Mississippi. She returned to Gulfport to marry her high school sweetheart, Richard “Dickie” Chapin and they had four daughters. She was a wonderful mother and a devoted wife. Her home was warm and inviting and she loved entertaining friends and neighbors who dropped by often for coffee and friendship. She took loving care of her parents when they needed her, as well as visiting faithfully and corresponding with her mother in law, a great Aunt, and many dear friends and relatives when their health declined. She left behind a legacy of caring, encouragement and loving compassion for other people.

She worked for many years with the Federal Government. She started at Keesler Air Force Base, then in Building Management at the Veterans Hospital in Gulfport and then at the Naval Construction Battalion Center where she was administrative secretary in the Chaplain’s office. She loved working there. Her kind smile and her warm gracious Southern charm was the first impression of our Mississippi hospitality to greet Seabee soldiers far away from home seeking help or Christian Guidance. She often invited them to her home for Sunday dinner. Her dining table hosted many friends, priests, soldiers, widow/widowers and coworkers. She always had a heart to reach out to those who were alone or in need of a friend. She selflessly worked to ensure her daughters had every advantage and would be able to earn a college degree before she retired from the Federal Government after 25 years.

A devout member of St. John’s and later St. James Catholic Church, Martha spent many years praying in the Adoration Chapel, as well as attending Bible studies, and was a part of Rosary groups. She was a participating member of P.E.O. , a philanthropic, educational and charitable organization and the Bayou View Garden Club. She had a beautiful yard and enjoyed “piddling” in it every day. She always opened her home for monthly meetings and her famous Pimento Cheese was often requested. Martha was a former member of the Gulfport Yacht Club, Bayou Bluff Tennis Club, and Sunkist Country Club.

Martha was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Louis Chapin;  loving parents, James Adolphus “Jim” and Mary Johanna “Mary Jo” Hatcher Hendrick, and two sisters, Joanne Uricki of Macedonia, Ohio and Frances Irby of Jackson, Mississippi.

Martha and Dickie were married for 67 years. Their long marriage was an inspiration to their children. They had four daughters, Ellen (Grant) Coleman of New Orleans, Frances (James) Ladner of Gufport, Mary Catherine “KK” (John O) Hearin of Fairhope, Alabama, and Mary Elizabeth “Liz” (Richie) McLarty of Bluffton, South Carolina. She had twelve grandchildren who loved their “Mimi” dearly, Annabel and Will Coleman, Jake (Laurin), Kyle (Paige), Mack (Angie), Emma (Clayton), and Luke Ladner, Jack, Sam and Thomas Hearin, and Grace and Lily McLarty. She also had three great grandchildren, Bayley Cassibry, RosieLynn Ladner and Asher Ladner.

She is survived by two sisters, Kathleen (Kathy) Jones of Spartanburg, South Carolina and Mary James (Jamie) Kozelka of Macedonia, Ohio, and a brother, James “Jimmie” Hendrick of Duxbury, Massachusetts, as well as many special nieces and nephews.

The family wants to express their love and appreciation to the wonderful and special women who loved and took such good care of our mother: Neotia Nettles, Rolenia Wiggins, Tonia Jackson and Mary Ann Currie. And a big thank you to Deacon Dick Henderson of St. James who faithfully ministered and delivered communion to Mama for many years.

Visitation will begin at 10am at St. James Catholic Church in Gulfport with a mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11am on Monday, January 26, 2026. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please send contributions to St. James Catholic Church.