Steven Curtis Chapman’s Daughter Killed
May 22, 2008
|
Posted by Ray Fowler
Update #1: Click here for In Memory of Maria, a special blog set up just for Maria. There is a video of Steve and Maria goofing around in the kitchen , as well as a place for people to express condolences. There are already over 8,000 comments.
Update #2: Click here for video from the memorial service.
Please be praying for the family of Christian singer, Steven Curtis Chapman, whose 5-year-old daughter was killed in an accident yesterday afternoon. “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” (Psalm 116:15)
(Left to right: Will Franklin, Maria, Steven, Shaoey, Mary Beth, Stevey Joy, Caleb and Emily)
The 5-year-old daughter of Grammy-winning Christian music star Steven Curtis Chapman was struck and killed Wednesday by a sport utility vehicle driven by her brother, authorities said.
The girl, Maria, was hit in the driveway of the family’s home Wednesday afternoon by a Toyota Land Cruiser driven by her teenage brother, said Laura McPherson, a spokeswoman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
The brother, whose name and exact age weren’t available, apparently did not see the girl, McPherson said. No charges are expected.
“It looks like a tragic accident,” she said.
Several family members witnessed the accident, which happened in Williamson County just south of Nashville. The girl died later at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, hospital spokeswoman Laurie Holloway said.
A publicist for Chapman’s charity organization said the family was expected to release a statement later Wednesday night.
From the Steven Curtis Chapman website:
NASHVILLE, TN…5/21/08… At approximately 5pm on the afternoon of Wednesday May 21st, Maria Sue Chapman, 5 years old and the youngest daughter to Steven and Mary Beth Chapman was struck in the driveway of the Chapman home in Franklin, TN. Maria was rushed to Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital in Nashville, transported by LifeFlight, but died of her injuries there. Maria is one of the close knit family’s six children and one of their three adopted daughters.
More than five years ago, Chapman and his wife MaryBeth founded The Shaohannah’s Hope Ministry after bringing their first adopted daughter, Shaohannah, home from China. The ministry’s goal is to help families reduce the financial barrier of adoption, and has provided grants to over 1700 families wishing to adopt orphans from around the world. Chapman is a five-time GRAMMY ® winner and 54-time Dove Award winning artist who has sold over 10 million albums and garnered 44 No. 1 singles.
See related posts:
Categories: Current Events
|
Leave a reply
we will keep the family in our prayers it is a tragdy to lose some one so close to you yet so young but just think she is with god now and she will always be in your heart just look at it this way she is in heaven getting it ready for her family to join her one day
Dear Chapman Family,
I am extremely sorry to hear of your loss. I know that you want what is best for Maria and God thinks its best that she doesn’t have to deal with this world so now she is in the hands of her Holy Father without any pain or trouble. Your family is definitely in my prayers.
True, but likely not what the family needs/wants to hear right now.
Steven is a friend of our ministry, so we have a personal connection. I can’t imagine the pain. Certainly a need for prayer. I appreciate your blog.
Jim
My heart breaks !!!! There are never any good words to say at a time like this , just know that you are all in my prayers and I am so very sorry for all the pain you are going through and willgo through!! I will continiue to pray for this family, andsay special prayer for the brother that accidently hit her Iklnow he is seuffering greatly May god be with you all and give you comfort!!! shartita
MAY YOU STAY STRONG IN YOUR FAITH – OUR FAATHER WILL BE CARRYING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY THOUGHT THIS. CONCENTRATE ON THE WONDERFUL EVENTS THE LORD HAS BLESSED YOUR FAMIY WITH A GRADUATION AND ENGAGEMENT- MARIA IS SAFE WITH OUR FATHER..
SURRENDER IT ALL TO OUR FATHER, I PRAY THAT YOUR SON WILL KNOW THAT OUR FATHER ALREADY KNOWS OUR PATH AND WHEN OUR ROAD ENDS.. DO NOT ALLOW THIS ‘ACCIDENT’ TO AFFECT HIS FUTURE-IN JESUS NAME I SPEAK OUT AGIANST GUILT HE MAY FEEL. PLEASE RELY ON YOUR FAITH AND THE MEMORIES THE LORD HAS GIVEN YOU OF YOUR PRECIOUS DAUGHTER. MAY YOU AND YOUR FAMILY MOURN WITH LOVE , FOR IT IS THROUGH GRIEF WE CAN BE MADE STRONGER- THROUGH THE LOVE OF JESUS WE CAN SURVIVE.
MY PRAYERS ARE WIT YOU,
YOUR SISTER IN CHRIST
My heart goes out to you and your family. I saw the video and I just can’t stop crying such a sweet little girl. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
I recently had the opportunity to worship with Steven Curtis Chapman and his teenage sons. They came to my church (Central Baptist Church, Jonesboro, Ar.) I took my teenage son to the concert. We are so broken hearted by this tragic event. I have lost a family member in a tragic accident, but I can not imagine the pain your family is going through whith losing a young child and an older child being accidently responsible. Me and my son worshipped along with you and your sons and it was amazing. God only knows what the purpose of this loss is. I am especially grieving because I am so concerned about your teenage son. I am praying that he will be able to heal and forgive himself for this accident. I held my son and we cried together that night when we heard the news. We are praying for your family. In the love of Christ, Heather Clark
Dear Chapman Family
Sorry to hear about the loss of your youngest daughter, Maria to a tragic vehicle accident. I will definitely be thinking and praying for the whole family during this time. I pray God will bless the Chapman’s through this tough time. God Bless
I can’t stop crying when I think of the pain you must be going thru and my prayers are with you
I am so sad to hear of this news. My heart breaks for what the Chapman family is going through. I have 3 precious daughters who are all very close to their daddy. Tears fall as I sit here.
May God wrap the Chapman family in his arms and draw them close as they grieve. I cannot also help but think of Steven’s song “I danced with Cinderella”, one of our favorite songs. How precious that God gave him that song to bless the world with….to remind us all that life is indeed short. Comfort them Lord!
There are lessons for all of us in the Steven Curtis Chapman double tragedy where the youngest son accidentally kills the youngest daughter. How do you deal with such grief? With faith, hope and love. That explains my essay, which if you wish, you can read here: ‘Good Grief! Steven Curtis Chapman, please don’t be Sue-sad’ (http://frankahilario.blogspot.com/).