Obituary - Marie Claypool Piper

Marie Claypool Piper passed in peace at Lakewood manor at 93.

Born the first child and only daughter of John Rowan Claypool III and Mary Etta Buchanan Claypool, she was nurtured in a home where Christian principles and faithfulness to the Baptist Church were priorities which Marie honored all the days of her life.

Education was also a central theme. She graduated from Hillsboro High School in her hometown of Nashville, TN. She earned her Bachelor’s degree at Blue Mountain College, a Baptist women’s college in Mississippi founded in the mid-1800’s by Marie’s Berry family ancestors. After BMC, she earned a Master’s degree from the Carver School of Missions and Social Work in Louisville, KY, reflective of her two lifelong passions: expansion of the Christian gospel through missions and her commitment to dedicated service to others through social work. To elevate her skills in the practice of social work, she obtained a second Master's at the Kent School of Social Work, also in Louisville, KY.

In the beginning of her career in full time Christian service, she served as a youth director in Baptist churches in Tennessee and was a Baptist Student Union Director at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, KY. Her career then brought her to Richmond, VA to serve with the Women's Missionary Union of Virginia Baptists in the late 60’s. This move to Richmond also brought Robert E. Piper into her life. They shared a great love for music and art. Robert and Marie married in November 1971 at Second Baptist Church, launching a beautiful partnership of love and devotion. They were a perfect couple.

Professionally, Marie concluded her career with decades of service as a social worker at the Richmond Veteran’s Administration Hospital. Because Robert was a loyal University of Richmond alumnus, they served as mentors to athletes who played in the basketball and football games they always attended. She and Robert were enthusiastic participants in frequent reunions with the Claypool and Buchanan families. At every gathering she led the game playing, staying up to the wee hours. In addition, they were also loyal attendees to significant family gatherings: weddings, graduations, baptisms, and holiday gatherings.

Second Baptist Church was their great passion and the hub of their life outside work. They faithfully attended every service and activity of the church and taught Sunday school to young children for decades. Their commitment to Baptist missions led to numerous mission/service trips to Hungary, Czech Republic, and Brazil. Robert helped with technology infrastructure and Marie worked with local seminary libraries and children.

Marie said of these international trips:

“By working over a period of time we feel we have become a part of the Seminary family. We have had a small part in sharing their vision for training young people from the Baptist Churches of Europe to become pastors and teachers. They are prepared to spread Christ’s Gospel on a continent with great needs for Christian witness.”

In their retirement years, beginning in 2004, they moved to join friends at Lakewood Manor. They were active in all aspect of resident life attending mission meetings, Bible studies and worship services. Marie extended her emphasis on compassionate and caring service through the Richmond Baptist Association to provide necessary services and aid to those who are less fortunate.

Robert’s passing in 2010 after 39 years of loving marriage was a great loss for Marie. But consistent with her lifelong resilience, she continued all of their shared devotions and activities.

Marie Claypool Piper was a beloved child of God and a faithful servant. We will miss her.

Marie is predeceased by her parents, John Rowan Claypool III and Mary Etta Buchanan; her brother, John Rowan Claypool VI, and her niece Laura Lue Claypool

Marie is survived by her nephew John Rowan Claypool V (Melanie); great nephew John Rowan Claypool VI; Robert Piper’s nephew Noel Wagner, and numerous Buchanan cousins

The family wishes to express special thanks to the Kiss family for their wonderful care of Marie during years of close friendship and especially in her final days.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Second Baptist Church, 9614 River Rd. Richmond, VA 23229.