Sometimes when a loved on passes away from cancer, her relatives find solace in old photos that conjure up fond memories. Since the death of acclaimed bounty hunter Beth Chapman, 51, wife of Duane "Dog the Bounty Hunter" Chapman, her children have been sharing treasured images of Beth that her adoring fans have never before seen.
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Looking threw all the pics she sent to me ???? she just loved Plum @bonniejoc
Bonnie commented on the photo that she totally agreed with the sentiment, “I was just talking about this moment today [crying emoji].”
Others commented about Beth’s love for the kitty, “Plum is your mom’s eyes on earth. Watching all and beautiful too.”
And to show their support for Beth’s daughters as they struggle with the loss of their mom, one commenter wrote, “you sweet girls stay strong my thoughts and prayers are with you all the way from hopkinsville KY I’m a big fan and all I can say is she’s still with you and god is having a blast with your mom keeping real up there love y’all god bless you.”
Cecily also posted a photo of her with her mom the day before, simply captioned “[crown] @mrsdog4real” (@mrsdog4real was Beth’s Instagram handle).
This isn’t the first time Cecily has dug up old pictures of her mom to share since Beth’s death. A few weeks ago, she shared on Instagram Stories a special snap of a carefree, Bohemian Beth and Dog enjoying the pleasures of their life together. Beth, clad in a brightly colored off-the-shoulder blouse, was arm-in-arm with Dog, who was wearing his classic white tank top and flashing a "word" sign.
Underneath the picture, Cecily merely wrote "Iconic".
The photo was tagged with the name of Hawaii-born clothing brand, One Love, One Tribe (Hawaii is the stomping grounds of the boisterous Chapman clan, who also have a base in the Denver, Colorado area). One Love, One Tribe describes its wares as "eco-friendly, one of a kind reversible activewear proudly made in the USA" from recycled plastic water bottles. In the photo shared by Cecily, Beth appears to be wearing a One Love, One Tribe top.
Cecily also tagged core members of the clan: Beth, Duane, her little sister Bonnie and her half-sister "Baby Lyssa" (Dog's daughter) who had feuded with Beth just prior to Beth's death.
She’s also shared images of gorgeous sunsets, causing Beth's fans on social media to declare that Beth, who was of strong Christian faith, is looking down on them from the heavens. Cecily's use Saturday of the religious term "iconic" could also be a reference to Beth's spirituality.
Cecily is Beth's second child with her first husband Keith Barmore, now 65, to whom Beth was briefly married before divorcing him and marrying Dog. Keith was a friend of Dog's. Beth had a son, Dominic, by a man other than Keith, prior to Cecily, when Beth was 17. Dominic, Cecily's half brother, was taken away by state child welfare authorities, and only reunited with Beth when Dog tracked him down as an adult. Dog adopted Cecily. She also has two younger half-siblings, Bonnie and Garry Dee, who are Beth's children by Dog.
Touchingly, Beth chose Cecily for her final Instagram post before her tragic death. 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 upbringing 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 … You are loved beyond words Cecily savannah you stay sweet. {or you'll answer to yo mama}."
Beth died after a long struggle with 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.
In addition to looking up to find her mom in the sky, Cecily has been commemorating her mom with colorful bedazzled nails just like Beth's.
Just before her mother's public memorial in Aurora Colorado, Cecily proclaimed via Instagram that "My heart is so heavy (broken heart emoji)". Her comment accompanied a photo of Beth behind the wheel of her car, showcasing her amazing, dazzling nails, a Beth Chapman signature look.
Dealing With Negative Emotions During Cancer
For a lot of people, connecting to someone else with cancer can help with some of the difficult emotions that that can come with the diagnosis. For example, anxiety and fear are totally normal reactions to the news of cancer, and acknowledging these emotions can be therapeutic and important to the healing process.
"I think the most important advice I would give to someone who has just received a cancer diagnosis is to find people whom they find as a source of support. To allow themselves to go through all of the different emotional reactions to that news," said Dr. Susan Parsons, Director of the Center for Health Solutions/Center on Child and Family Outcomes at Tufts Medical Center, in a prior interview with SurvivorNet. Dr. Parsons did not comment on this case specifically.
"The anger, the frustration, the fear. The disappointment. Whatever those emotions are, figure out what's important to you and find those people that can help you realize that."
In times of frustration, it can be useful to a little bit of direction on specific ways to deal with it. A few of the most common ways to deal with fear and anxiety after a cancer diagnosis, that have helped people in the SurvivorNet community in the past, include:
1. Let your family and close friends know and let them help. So many cancer survivors tell us they want and need support but are often too preoccupied to make specific requests. Urge those close to you to jump in with whatever practical help they can offer.
2. Keep a journal. It can be extremely cathartic to let those feelings loose on paper. Grab a pen and a nice journal and chronicle your different thoughts throughout the day.
3. Join a cancer support group. There are groups in nearly every community offering opportunities to connect with others going through a similar journey. You'll learn incredibly helpful insight from others who can tell you about what to expect and how to stay strong on tough days.
4. Consider seeing a therapist. Ask your doctor to refer you to a therapist so you can discuss your fears and concerns in a safe space. Often, vocalizing your thoughts and feelings rather than internalizing them can provide relief.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.