Chapman’s ‘Uncle Lester’ lives on in new book

Harold Chapman spent several years writing funny stories about his imaginary Uncle Lester for a newspaper in Warner Robins.

His uncle’s fish stories. His antics. The time he put a garter snake in his fifth-grade teacher’s pocket. The time he volunteered to sing in the Easter cantata.

Readers chuckled at the adventures of Uncle Lester and the cast of other characters from a fictitious town in South Georgia almost a century ago. Chapman also entertained church groups and civic clubs with the knee-slapping stories.

He published the tales in the now-defunct Daily Sun newspaper. Now, a generation later, he is re-introducing Uncle Lester and the others to the wider world with the publication of his 256-page book: “To My Mind: Humorous Tales from a Southern Town.’’

He autographed his first book on November 1. A week later, he celebrated his 84th birthday.

Chapman and his wife, Freeda, live in north Macon on property that has been in his family since 1941, the year he was born. He is a retired educator who served as school superintendent in Houston County from 1989-92. 

During that time, he began writing guest columns in the Daily Sun under the names “Houston Hallways” and “Superintendent’s Pen.’’  He continued to write on the op-ed page when he was an associate professor of education at Fort Valley State. His first Uncle Lester column ran in 1994.

 “One day I got to thinking of some family stories,’’ he said. “The first one I wrote was about Uncle Lester. I made up the name.’’

He made up other characters, too – Aunt May, Hoot Smith, Rufus Gibbs, Charlie Smoots, Hut Newton – to protect the innocent … and the guilty.

Later, his mother told him, “You know, you had an Uncle Lester.’’

“I didn’t know that,’’ Chapman said. “We always called him Buster.’’

At the beginning of the book, Chapman wrote this disclaimer: “Although there is a kernel of truth in each of these stories, all have been so patched and embroidered over the years that any resemblance to actual persons or localities is purely coincidental, and all names are fictitious.”

Chapman said the title phrase “to my mind” comes from an old Southern saying.

“It means you don’t have to agree with me. That’s just how I think,’’ he said.

Chapman said he spent 30 years trying to find a publisher before he decided to self-publish with Amazon. The book can be purchased online or directly from the author.

Proceeds from local sales will go to Macon Outreach at Mulberry and Wesley Glen Ministries. 

Macon Outreach provides food and other needs to the city’s homeless population and those living in poverty. Chapman has been involved with the ministry downtown at Mulberry United Methodist Church since 1997, and served as chairman of the board for nine years. 

Wesley Glen, on North Mumford Road, serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by providing residential services, daycare, mentoring and employment opportunities. 

Chapman said he wanted to write the book to leave something for his three grandsons to remember him by. He dedicated the book to his wife, Freeda, and his late friend, Hulda Robuck, who ran The Bookshop at Miller Hills Shopping Center in Warner Robins for 30 years.

His friends Jim and Sandy Gilreath and Marie Amerson helped him edit the book. Macon artist Dale Watts designed the cover.

Chapman said he hopes to bring a smile to the faces of everyone who reads the book.

“I want them to laugh,’’ he said. “There is no deprecating humor in the book. I don’t make fun of anybody. You can laugh at Uncle Lester. He laughs at himself.’’

To purchase a copy of “In My Mind”, contact Harold Chapman at at chapmanharold05@gmail.com.