Obituary for Lorraine Chapin

MRS. LORRAINE MARIE COLLETTE CHAPIN, age 69, of Waynesboro, GA, passed away on Monday, March 23, 2026, at Doctors Hospital in Augusta, GA.

 Graveside services will be held at 2:00PM Friday, March 27, at Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery, with Rev. Mike Grenade officiating.

 Lorraine was born in Watertown, NY, on February 17, 1957, to the late Anna Marie Ragazzo Collette and Henry Victor Collette. She attended Watertown High School and later attended college in Yuma, AZ.

Lorraine wasn’t just a homemaker or just a mother—she was the heart and soul of her family. She was a mother to three girls, Rebecca, Angela, and Melissa, a grandmother to fifteen, and a great-grandmother to twelve. That kind of legacy doesn’t just happen—it’s built through years of love, sacrifice, and showing up again and again. And Lorraine… she was the type of woman to show up. In the big ways, and in the everyday ways. She also had a personality that kept life interesting. She loved to shop, and she didn’t believe in rushing through it either. A quick trip was never really “quick” with her. And then there was bingo. She could spend hundreds of dollars chasing that win, and when she walked out with fifty dollars, you would have thought she hit the jackpot. But that was her—she found joy in the moment, not just the outcome. And most importantly, beyond the stories and the laughter—was her love. Love for her family, her grandchildren, and her friends.

In addition to her parents, Lorraine was preceded in death by her Sister-in-law, Ann Collette.

 She is survived by her Companion of 20 years – Van Coleman of Waynesboro, GA; Daughters – Rebecca Jimenez, Angela Resch (Matthew), both of Watertown, NY, and Melissa York (Milton) of Eastman, GA; Grandchildren – Tiffany Schaffer (Kyle), Stephaine Percy (Dan), Scott Jimenez (Polina), Ricky Ryan (Haley), Mikey Ryan, James Stanford, Tayler Rogers, Tyler Rogers, Alyssa Rogers, Zachary Rogers, Chance Stanford (Shelby), Kane Aguilar, Desiree Kocher, Brittany Rozar (Josh), and Brent Graham; Great-Grandchildren – Eric Schaffer, Amelia Schaffer, Kaedan Percy, Bethany Percy, Ali Percy, Olivia Percy, Daniel Percy, Gracelyn Ryan, Colt Ryan, and Riah Rose Wagner; Brothers – Fred Collette (Elizabeth) of Burrville, NY, Pete Collette of Deferiet, NY, and Richard Collette of Copenhagen, NY; Several Nieces and Nephews.