In the wake of reality television star Beth Chapman’s death earlier today, there’s been an outpouring of love from her family, friends and supporters.
In an emotional post about her mother, Beth’s daughter Bonnie said, “I'd never thought I'd lose my mom at 20. I told her I thought she had a couple years left, but in her eyes she disagreed.” Bonnie was by Beth’s side, holding her hand earlier in the day, according to a previous post on Instagram and Twitter.
I'd never thought I'd lose my mom at 20. I told her I thought she had a couple years left, but in her eyes she disagreed.
Read MoreBonnie Chapman (@Bonniejoc) June 26, 2019 WGN America, the network where Beth and her husband Dog’s latest show “Dog’s Most Wanted” will air, posted an emotional farewell, “We are deeply saddened by the tragic news that @MrsdogC lost her battle with cancer today. She was an exceptional woman, all of us at #WGNAmerica will miss her tremendously. Our thoughts and prayers are with @DogBountyHunter, her family, loved ones and millions of fans.”We are deeply saddened by the tragic news that @MrsdogC lost her battle with cancer today. She was an exceptional woman, all of us at #WGNAmerica will miss her tremendously. Our thoughts and prayers are with @DogBountyHunter, her family, loved ones and millions of fans. pic.twitter.com/18YQBrHWec
WGN America (@wgnamerica) June 26, 2019
Former child actor Scott Baio who repeatedly communicated with Beth and Dog via social media during Beth’s cancer journey, sent his prayers to Beth’s family, writing, “RIP Sweet @MrsdogC . Sending our deepest sympathy and prayers to @DogBountyHunter and his family.”
RIP Sweet @MrsdogC . Sending our deepest sympathy and prayers to @DogBountyHunter and his family. ???????? https://t.co/yAIx7cJgpJ
Scott Baio (@ScottBaio) June 26, 2019
A devoted supporter named Kambree Kawahine Koa wrote about the inspirational woman that Beth was, “There will never be another Beth Chapman. Her heart and passion was to make peoples lives straight through tough love. She impacted so many on the TV and on the islands. I thank the Lord she is in the arms of Christ right now. Prayers for @DogBountyHunter and family.”
There will never be another Beth Chapman. Her heart and passion was to make peoples lives straight through tough love. She impacted so many on the TV and on the islands. I thank the Lord she is in the arms of Christ right now. Prayers for @DogBountyHunter and family.
Kambree Kawahine Koa (@KamVTV) June 26, 2019
And a woman named Jillian Marie noted the power of Beth’s faith Jesus Christ, “What a view it must be in Heaven , #BethChapman . We love you so much. Because you trusted in Jesus Christ, this is not goodbye. Only see you soon. @DogBountyHunter @MrsdogC.”
What a view it must be in Heaven , #BethChapman . We love you so much. Because you trusted in Jesus Christ, this is not goodbye. Only see you soon. @DogBountyHunter @MrsdogC ⤠pic.twitter.com/KfVYKAmvAF
Jillian Marie (@mariejillian94) June 26, 2019
A former US Marine tweeted about Beth, sending thoughts and prayers, “WE WILL MISS YOU SO MUCH @MrsdogC. I hope you know how LOVED you will always be to all of us. Thoughts and Prayers go out to @DogBountyHunter and Entire Chapman Family. #RIPBethChapman.”
WE WILL MISS YOU SO MUCH @MrsdogC. I hope you know how LOVED you will always be to all of us. Thoughts and Prayers go out to @DogBountyHunter and Entire Chapman Family. #RIPBethChapman ???????? pic.twitter.com/d1GtFNBTUn
USMarine4Life ???????? (@WarVeteranUSMC) June 26, 2019
One supporter tweeted her hope that Beth’s family might find some comfort, “I am sadden to hear Beth has passed. There are no words to ease the pain but I pray the family finds comfort and peace in the Lord, and knowing Beth will not suffer. She was a beautiful soul, may you all treasure the greatest gift she gave you, Memories. Prayers for ya’ll.”
I am sadden to hear Beth has passed. There are no words to ease the pain but I pray the family finds comfort and peace in the Lord, and knowing Beth will not suffer. She was a beautiful soul, may you all treasure the greatest gift she gave you, Memories. Prayers for ya’ll.
Diann Hans (@HansDidasky) June 26, 2019
And another tweeted her praise for the way Beth’s family handled her disease and her passing, “My heart breaks for you and your family, Dog. You guys have been the perfect example of good people trying to help sick people in their worst of times. So few people want to truly help anymore. I thank God for those that still do. Y’all have done so very much good. Thank You!!”
My heart breaks for you and your family, Dog. You guys have been the perfect example of good people trying to help sick people in their worst of times. So few people want to truly help anymore. I thank God for those that still do. Y’all have done so very much good. Thank You!!
Katherine McCaleb (@Katheri23486483) June 26, 2019
One person who was inspired by Beth wrote that the news of Beth’s passing was heartbreaking, “I’m so so sorry. .. been thinking and praying for Beth and all the family here in UK. .. so so sad . my heart is breaking for you big love to you all and Duane I understand your pain x.”
I’m so so sorry. .. been thinking and praying for Beth and all the family here in UK. .. so so sad . my heart is breaking for you ???? big love to you all and Duane I understand your pain x
debbie west (@debbie1478) June 26, 2019
And there was recognition for the beautiful love between Beth and Dog; “My condolences to you and your family. It was obvious to see you two were made for each other.”
My condolences to you and your family. It was obvious to see you two were made for each other.
allisok (@allisok4) June 26, 2019
And so many of Beth’s supporters shared her faith in Dod. “Words cannot express how we feel for you and the family. May God give you strength and Peace in this time of loss. God Bless you all.”
Words cannot express how we feel for you and the family.
May God give you strength and Peace in this time of loss.
God Bless you allâ¤ï¸Tony Hurst (@TonyHur17424342) June 26, 2019
Chapman's cancer journey began when she was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2017. She made a remarkable recovery, but then this past year, doctors discovered that her cancer had returned in her lungs, at which point it had also spread throughout her body.
Earlier this week, Chapman was admitted to the Queens Medical Center in Hawaii, where she was placed into a medically induced coma by doctors who, according to the website TMZ, said they were trying to help her and reduce her suffering.
True to form, Beth and 'Dog' Chapman lived the last months of Chapman's cancer battle in the same extremely public way in which they've lived the rest of their lives for many years. The end of Chapman's life was met with a huge outpouring of support from millions of people who identified with her struggle and also took part in her Christian faith, about which she was extremely vocal.
"I don't go to God and go, 'Why did I get cancer?'" Chapman told a church group in Bradenton, Florida on Mothers Day. "He'll roll his eyes at me again, because I know why because this is the ultimate test of faith."
Decision to Forego Chemotherapy
As part of her devout faith, Chapman announced during her cancer journey that "chemotherapy is not my bag," and shared that she was putting her faith in God.
She said that instead of chemotherapy she would be leaning on her Christian faith and the Lord Jesus Christ. Beth is a devout Christian.
Choosing to forgo conventional treatment is an extremely difficult and personal decision. We don't know what, if any, alternative treatments Chapman may have been pursuing for what's been reported to have been stage IV lung cancer. Typically, the treatment for this advanced disease can involve extensive chemotherapy or radiation, or targeted therapy if the patient has a certain genetic mutation.
But decisions to forego aggressive treatments at the end-of-life are the types of decisions with which millions of families have to grapple when a loved one is in the very advanced stages of cancer.
During her final days, Chapman was surrounded by those who loved herincluding her husband, Dog, who has always praised his wife for her strength, especially in the face of cancer.
Dog, along with Chapman's daughters, Bonnie and Cecily, have kept the public abreast of Chapman's condition, and have asked people to send their prayers.
This afternoon, Dog's update on Twitter read, "Today, she hiked the stairway to heaven. We all love you, Beth. See you on the other side."
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