Johnnie Mae Chappell, a mother of ten, was killed by white supremacists while searching for her lost wallet on a Jacksonville, Florida roadside. Her murder shocked the nation and became a symbol in the civil rights movement. Her legacy continues to inspire.
“There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think about what might have been had those racist killers not come upon my mother,” said her son Shelton Chappell. “I was only a couple months old when her life was brutally taken, but the lasting trauma of that moment continues to reverberate. But on this day, the 60th anniversary of her death, it is a time for remembrance to celebrate her legacy and the family that carries her spirit with us every day.”
Paula Johnson, director of the Cold Case Justice Initiative at Syracuse University, stated: “The death of Mrs. Chappell is a towering loss to her family, community, and American society. The Chappell family's commitment is a testament to their strength and is a profound lesson about the power of love and legacy. We have been privileged to work with the Chappell family in their quest for racial justice and accountability."
Family attorney Robert Spohrer remarked: “Mrs. Chappell was the tragic victim of a senseless shooting and a prejudiced and biased legal system. We were honored to stand shoulder to shoulder as we petitioned the governor, the Department of Justice, and others."
A private memorial dinner will be held at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church Legacy Center in Montgomery, Alabama today as part of commemorative events honoring Johnnie Mae Chappell's enduring legacy.
For more information about these events or Johnnie Mae Chappell's story, attendees can contact Shelton Chappell.