Oct. 30, 1933 ~ March 21, 2025
Dorothy Faye (Totsy) Chappell passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on March 21, 2025. She was born in Hereford, Texas, on Oct. 30, 1933, the fourth of eight children born to Wayne and Ruth Carthel. Dorothy grew up on a farm, driving a tractor in the fields, helping care for her younger siblings, and doing all the things to help a family of 10 in day to day life. The family moved to Eads, Colorado, where Dorothy graduated high school in 1951. Working in a small café there, she met a cowboy named Dee Chappell. They fell in love and eloped and were married in Raton, New Mexico, on July 11, 1952.
They made their home on a ranch, and in August 1953, their son Clint was born. They then moved to Alamosa where Dee worked on the Trinchera Ranch for several years. Daughters Sherry, born in 1957, and Soni, born in 1959, completed the family.
Dee joined the Brand Board as a brand inspector and they moved to Greeley and later to Loveland and then went back to ranching in 1972 when the family began managing the Keystone Ranch in Meeker. Dorothy loved having a large garden, canning all the produce, and cooking and caring for her family and several ranch hands for many years.
She was a wonderful cook and loved to share that with others. She spent many years cooking as a profession after leaving the ranch, and then as a caretaker for “the elderly,” even though she was usually older than those she helped.
She had a very strong work ethic and always wanted to help in any way she could. She loved to do things for others, especially for her children and grandchildren, who she was so proud of.
Dorothy loved dressing in style, especially in her favorite color, which was RED. She always had her red lipstick on and carried it in every purse and coat pocket. Wherever she was, her lipstick was within reach.
Her family meant everything to her. She is survived by her children: Clint Chappell of Meeker, Sherry (David) Overton of Meeker and Sondra (Dirck) Garcia of Meeker; her grandchildren: Brenda (John) Major, Aaron Overton, Scott (Candice) Garcia and Kelli Garcia; her great-grands: Tristan Dickenson, Christian Wilson, Alaina Hauck, Paige Hauck, Jack Major and James Major; sisters: Pat McCullum, Shirley Smith and Beth Gearn. And many, many other family members and friends.
Dorothy is preceded in death by her husband Dee Chappell; brothers Bill, Bob and Jimmy Carthel; and sister Margie McClain.
She will be missed terribly by her family and many friends. She touched the lives of so many in her 91 years. Dorothy was raised in a Christian home, raised her children in a Christian home, and never stopped encouraging those she loved and was in contact with to live a Christian life.
Services will be held Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 11 a.m. at the Church of Christ, 904 Third St., in Meeker, Colorado, followed by a graveside service at Highland Cemetery. Lunch will follow at the 4-H Building at the Fairgrounds.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Chuckwagon or The Church of Christ. Donations can be dropped off at the Grant Mortuary office or mailed to P.O. Box 333, Meeker CO 81641.
