Mary Alice Chaplin passed away peacefully early Sunday morning, May 31, 2020.

Mary Alice was born on June 15, 1933, in Chillicothe, Ohio to the parents of Percil G. Jones and Alice E. (Jackson) Jones.  She accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as a child and was a member of Zion Baptist Church, Chillicothe, Ohio.

After graduating from Chillicothe High School, she attended The Ohio State University where she received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Mary pursued a career as a public health nurse for the Akron Health Department. She enjoyed working with babies, young children, and the under-served where she promoted health and wellness. She became a pioneer in her profession when she completed one of the first nurse practitioner’s programs in the country and became one of the first nurse practitioners and the first black nurse practitioner in Akron, Ohio. Mary specialized in Obstetrics and Pediatrics Nursing and worked as a Nurse Practitioner in the health and wellness  clinics at the Akron Health Department until she retired to help take care of her grandchildren.

As a nursing student, Mary came to Akron, Ohio to complete her community health rotation and met her husband, Thomas Chaplin. Thomas and Mary were married and had three children, Kevin, Elizabeth and Leslie.  She was a loving and very devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.

Mary was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church and enjoyed volunteering for the  Tuesday noonday luncheon program. Mary was an avid reader and always encouraged others to read and become the best they could be through education. She was a mentor, tutor, and motivator to many adult students obtaining their GED or higher education. Additionally, she initiated her own private prison ministry where she would write and encourage young men in prison. One of her greatest activities was watching sports, be it football, basketball or baseball, she loved them all. Anyone who knew her could tell you her favorite team was the Ohio State Buckeyes. She was also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. However, her greatest love of all was for her family and friends whom she shared love, laughter, and many great times.

Mary is preceded in death by her father, Percil G Jones; mother, Alice E Jones and her husband, Thomas Chaplin.

She leaves to cherish her memory son, Kevin Chaplin (Christie fiancé); daughters, Elizabeth Owens and Leslie (Glenn) Brown; grandsons, Ricky Owens, Thomas (Synovia Sharpe) Williams, Travis Williams, Justin Chaplin; granddaughter, Lisa; great-grandchildren, Jaydan, Dorian, Parker and Chaplyn; sister, Pamela Jones; nieces and her very devoted, special friend and neighbor, Betty Dubose.