Grieving for a loved one lost to cancer is never easy, and sometimes in this day and age of social media, mourners will turn to favorite platforms such as Instagram, Facebook or Twitter to share their pain with a wider audience. We at SurvivorNet have seen many a time how these relatively public expressions of grief can help soothe the pain.
Acclaimed bounty hunter Beth Chapman, who passed away in late June, had lived for years in the public eye due to the various reality television programs in which she co-starred with her husband, Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Chapman. The tight-knit Chapman clan was often featured on the shows, and therefore Beth’s fans grew familiar with her children: 26 year old Cecily (by her first husband Keith Barmore) and Bonnie, 20, and Garry Dee, 19, her children by Dog (Beth had another son, Dominic, when she was 17 but he was taken in by Colorado child welfare authorities).
Beth’s fans were quick to reach out to Cecily with words of love, support and encouragement.
“Our thoughts are with u guys all the way over here from Australia she was and still is a beautiful women u are a image of her RIP Beth u will be missed,” wrote meganarnold3756.
“???? It will always be hard and hurt but it will ease with time,” said izczech.
eganarnold3756
“She’s always with you♡. Rest easy Mrs. Chapman,” added buckdanielle98
lindarella35 said: “I feel you loss my at 56 two years just lost my dad 6 weeks ago.”
“One day at a time is so hard xoxo,” wrote jewels1005.
sherrieboquetsharpe wrote that “Every day will be hard honey but hang in there! Thinking of you all and sending love â¤ï¸”
amycollinsworth2001 said “I lost my dad to cancer 10 years ago on July 12th. It doesn't get easier, but you'll find your own way of dealing with it. The only things that keep me going are 1. I'll see him in Heaven one day & 2. He won his fight with cancer because he's free of it, the pain & he's flying high with the Angels. You & your family are in my thoughts & prayers tonight.”
Earlier, on Thursday night, Cecily posted a photo of plumeria (a flower identified with Hawaii, the Chapman family stomping ground) and wrote of Beth that “I feel her everywhere.” Her posting was followed by a resounding chorus of support from Beth’s fans.
Touchingly, Beth chose Cecily for her final Instagram post before her tragic passing. To mark Cecily's 26th birthday, Beth shared a beautiful portrait of her eldest daughter and wrote: "My sunshine ! Turns 26 today."
Beth went on to remark that Cecily is "A true beauty with street smarts she's reliable dependable trustworthy and true a bit devious but that comes from her up bringing she's clever and sassy.. but you'll find no one more loyal to family then she [is]! Through thick and through thin all out or all in we have muddled through this together … Celebrating Her Birthday today I'm reminded what great sacrifices she makes for family every day … Your are loved beyond words Cecily savannah you stay sweet. {or you'll answer to yo mama}."
As for Beth, she'll be remembered in a second memorial service in Colorado later this month. Dog posted on Twitter two days ago a photo of Beth sprouting angel wings while wrapping her arms around Duane, who is throwing flower petals into the wind. The meme reads "Goodbye (for now)" at the top and "In loving memory of Beth Chapman," at the bottom. The posting also included details for Beth's Colorado memorial, "July 13, 2019 Heritage Christian Center, 14401 E. Exposition Avenue, Aurora, Colorado 80012 Doors open at 1:00 Service starts at 2:00."
Beth died after a long struggle with Stage 2 throat cancer. When she learned her cancer had returned in late 2018, she decided to forego chemotherapy and place her faith in the Lord. "Chemotherapy is not my bag," she told assembled congregants at the Source Church in Bradenton, Florida on Mothers Day.
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