Linda Sue & Philip Chapman

Linda Sue Cato Chapman, 86 years old, passed away Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in Spring, Texas after a 7-year battle with dementia. Linda was born on October 20, 1938, to Ruby and Willie Cato of Gloster, Louisiana. She is preceded in death by her devoted husband, Philip Joseph Chapman, who passed away in 2022 and her beloved grandson, Nicholas Fletcher. Linda is survived by her daughter, Lezlie Fletcher (Ken), son, Billy Chapman (Cheree), grandchildren, Blake Chapman (Linda), Grace Chapman, and Emily Fletcher.

From an early age Linda demonstrated a passion for music. She attended Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana where she majored in piano and music education and was actively involved in the university chorus and Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity. After graduation, Linda married Philip and the couple settled in Westlake Louisiana where she began a lifelong career in education, teaching music to hundreds of children at Western Heights Elementary and serving as the pianist for over 25 years at Westwood Baptist Church.

Upon retirement, Linda and Philip moved to Petit Jean Mountain in Arkansas where they quickly became involved in this close-knit community that meant so much to them. Linda led the choir at Petit Jean Baptist Church and developed countless cherished friendships. After nearly two decades, they returned to Louisiana and following Hurricane Laura in 2020, moved to a personal care home in Spring Texas. Markeith and Nequita Hicks, their children, Mia, Alicia, Zeniah, and Markeith Jr., who became a second family, lovingly cared for both Linda and Philip during their battles with dementia. Our family is deeply grateful to this team who became an extension of our family during this chapter of their lives.

Philip's Obituary

Philip Joseph Chapman, 85 years old, of Westlake, Louisiana, passed away Wednesday, February 23, 2022, in Spring, Texas.

Philip was born in Alexandria, Louisiana, on October 12, 1936, to Fred and Louise Chapman. He was a Veteran of the U.S. Navy, where he learned his trade as a dental laboratory technician. After serving, he moved to Westlake, Louisiana, where he met his wife of 60 years, Linda Cato. Philip attended McNeese State University, earning his Master's plus 30 in Special Education. He taught in Calcasieu Parish until his retirement in 1997, when he and Linda moved to their beloved Petit Jean Mountain in Arkansas. During retirement, Philip continued to teach part-time for Conway County School District. He worked at the Petit Jean Country Store, where he sold everything from fudge to beanie babies. He was an active member of Petit Jean First Baptist Church, where he served as an assistant deacon and played the tambourine in the choir, the only thing the choir director, his wife Linda, would allow him to do. After 17 years in Arkansas, Philip and Linda returned to Lake Charles, where they lived until moving to Spring, Texas, following Hurricane Laura in 2020.

The family would like to thank Dr. Danette Null of the Memorial LSU Family Medicine Clinic, Brighton Bridge Hospice in Lake Charles, and Devotions Hospice in Spring, Texas. They also wish to express deep gratitude to Markeith and Nequita Hicks, owners of Making It Home PCH in Spring, Texas, and their children Alicia, Mia, Zeniah, and Markeith Jr., for providing compassionate, meticulous care to both Linda and Philip over the last 18 months.

A memorial service honoring both Linda and Philip will be held at Johnson Funeral Home, Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at 6:00 PM, with visitation beginning at 4:00 PM until the time of the service.