Dr. Barbara Jeanne Chappelle is a native of Miami, Florida and the eldest of nine children.  She is the wife of the 108th elected and Consecrated Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Dr. Richard Allen Chappelle, Sr.  She is also the mother of Kristen Nicole and the grandmother of Micah Jeremiah and Travis Richard.

Dr. Chappelle taught school for 30 years (English, Spanish and Special Education) in Florida and Missouri after matriculating at Morris Brown College, Atlanta, Georgia and Stetson University in Deland.  She came out of retirement to teach without compensation at Shorter College, North Little Rock, Arkansas.  Affiliations include: World Methodist Council; National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); the Little Rock Chapter, National Urban League; National Council of Negro Women (NCNW); National Association of University Women; Life Member, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.; Life Member, Women’s Missionary Society; and Gleaner Star Chapter #338 Order of the Eastern Star, P.H.A., Arkansas Jurisdiction.

Dr. Chappelle is a world traveler having lived in Southern Africa and has toured Kenya, Europe, South America and Asia.  Her greatest love is educating, teaching, and empowering young women and men through the YPD and WMS.

REVITALIZED – The Women’s Missionary Societies in both the 17th & 18th Episcopal Districts
               (1988 – 1992 and 1992 – 1996):

• Instituted programs by which personal monetary stipends were given to Mission Preachers during each Annual Conference
• Starting programs wherein annually two (2) scholarships were awarded to worthy high school seniors from each of the Annual Conferences
• Provided during Missionary Night-In-White food to those in need – maize, fresh vegetables, sugar and canned goods
• Had well stocked Clothing Banks for lay & clergy families in all 13 Annual Conferences
• Provided financial and moral support for the YPD in all Annual Conferences
• Helped clergy persons acquire clergy attire and new clergy robes
• Provided additional financial support to congregations in their building programs, especially in classrooms and clinics
• Established Health Fairs to provide free medicine and health supplies to the needy

SUPERVISED – Renovation and refurbishing of Episcopal Residences in the 17th & 18th Episcopal Districts

ENTERTAINED – Visitors from America who came to visit during:

• The first Council of Bishops held on the Continent of Africa
• The first Investiture of the President of the Council of Bishops held in Africa

MOTIVATED – The Women’s Missionary Societies of both the 8th and 12th Episcopal Districts (1996 – 2000 and 2000 – 2008):

• Provided monetary stipends for Mission Pastors in each Annual Conference
• Awarded scholarships for $2,000.00 to a YPDer in each of the Annual Conferences
• Created a $4,000.00 academic scholarship for a designated student at Shorter College for 4 years
• Gave financial and moral support for the YPD in all Annual Conferences
• Provided transportation for YPDers interested in going to Connectional YPD meetings
• Increased the number of young women in the WMS by instituting an Annual Capping Ceremony (of new members) at each Annual Conference

SUPERVISED – The renovation and refurnishing of the Episcopal Residence and Episcopal Office in both the      8th and 12th Episcopal Districts

FOUNDED – (As one of the founding Supervisors):

• Joint Institute for Ministers (JIM) and Spouses of the 8th, 10th, 12th and 13th Episcopal Districts
• CONN-M-SWAWO Plus P.K.’s

Bishop Richard Allen Chappelle, Sr. and Supervisor Dr. Barbara Jeanne Chappelle retired in July 2008 at the 48th Quadrennial Session of the General Conference.