Her favorite place in the whole wide world was always home. Brenda Faye Turner (High) Chaplin left her earthly home of Tompkinsville, Kentucky, for her eternal home “where the soul never dies” on February 5, 2023, at the age of 81. Brenda was born in Jeffery, Kentucky, on July 3, 1941, the fifth child and first daughter of William Fontis “Fon” Turner and Grace Deweese Turner who preceded her arrival to her eternal home. Also, preceding were three brothers, Gene, J.T., and Ronnie Turner.
Brenda was a member of the Mt. Gilead Church of Christ. Brenda thoroughly enjoyed participating in the Church Ladies Food Group and she would be found at Church sitting with her pew sisters, Mary Dee Jackson, Rita Hammer, and Brenda Starnes.
Brenda Chaplin was a woman of many talents and skills. Brenda was a seamstress, cook, gardener,square dancer, quilter, artist, dog groomer (for Phoebe and Opie), whistler, and she had a way with words. In additional to sewing clothes for herself and her family, Brenda was a seamstress at Red Kap, Industries for 33 years. Brenda had secret recipes for cinnamon rolls, chicken and dumplings, pinto beans and cornbread, meatloaf, fried potatoes, and many more. Brenda was a gifted yard architect.
Her flowers, trees, plants, rocks, bottles, buildings, and any other thing she thought was “so pretty” were perfectly placed out in her yard (as she happily whistled while she worked.) As for her way with words, once when she was outside “digging” in her yard she fell flat on the side of her face which she later described as “falling so hard, I had a clot of dirt in my ‘hearing-aid’ hole.” She just laughed at herself when she said she meant to say her ear.
More than anything on this earth, Brenda loved her family, most especially her Walter, the love of her life. Brenda married Walter Chaplin on March 1, 1980, and happily made her home with him for over 42 years. Much like the quilts that they worked on together, Brenda and Walter pieced together a beautiful family. Brenda is remembered by her husband, Walter Chaplin and her son, Tony (Beth) High of Tompkinsville; her daughter, Bonita (Nick) Spiegl of Gallatin, TN; son, Scott (Carolyn) Chaplin, Plainfield, IN; son, Mark (Jennifer) Chaplin, Madison, AL. Seven granddaughters, Casi (Carl) Owens,
Glasgow, KY; Brooke (Eric) Davis, Scottsville, KY; Chelsey (Drew) Balch, Helena, AL; Madison Chaplin, Chicago, IL; Emily Chaplin, Indianapolis, IN; Hannah Chaplin, Madison, AL; and Kristen (Craig) Lanham, Franklin, TN. Two grandsons, Nicholas Spiegl, Shelbyville, KY; and Jon Spiegl, Bowling Green, KY. Eleven great-grandchildren, Annagrace and Hunter Davis, Magnus Owens, Jackson Balch, Victoria and Michael Spiegl, Maddie Grace Spiegl, and Harper, Kye, John Houston, and Caroline Lanham.
Brenda is also remembered by her sister Edna (John) Jordan and her sister-in-law Judy Turner, of Tompkinsville, KY, her brother, Charles Turner, her sister, Debbie (David) Gray of Glasgow, KY, in-laws, several nieces and nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, February 8, at 1:00 p.m. at Yokley Trible Funeral Home.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday, February 7, and after 8:00 a.m. until service time at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Brenda's memory may be made to the Monroe County Backpack Program.
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