Sophia Lou Osborne Chatman

Sophia Lou Moore Osborne-Chatman was born on December 7, 1935 in Mansfield, Ohio to Luke and Ila Mae Moore. She was the third child born to this union. Sophia had one brother, Ricardo, and two sisters, Virginia (Vicki) and Carolyn. The family moved to Columbus, Ohio and
settled in the Mount Vernon Avenue area.

Sophia was educated in the Columbus Public School system; she attended Douglas Elementary, Champion Middle, and East High School, respectively. Although she did not graduate high school, she did receive her GED and was determined to move forward in life.

She met and later married Leroy Osborne in Columbus, Ohio. The union eventually ended in divorce and Sophie became a single mother. In her late forties, she realized her dream of furthering her education. Juggling the responsibility of raising teenagers, she enrolled at
Columbus State Community College. She earned a degree in social work but didn’t stop there. She had her eyes set on a nursing degree, so she later returned to Columbus State to complete her degree. She flourished in her career in the healthcare field. She began her nursing career at The Ohio State University Medical Center, where she served diligently. Upon retiring from OSU in 1989, she began a second career as a Private Duty Nurse, then as a Charge Nurse at the Corrections Medical Center, at the Orient Correctional facility. Sophia also worked for the Gary Family as an assistant in their business.

Sophia spent her life caring for others; her family and her community. She loved spending time with her family. Holidays, birthdays, and family gatherings were special to her. Sophia loved the Lord. She ministered through her gift of compassion. She was a devoted member of the
Maynard Avenue Baptist Church. Later, she became a member of Columbus Bible Way church. An active member in both church families with such duties as Sunday School Teacher, Usher, among countless committees and groups. She believed in God’s word and was a living example of his grace. Through her many medical trials and life’s tribulations, she held on to her faith, she embodied the serenity prayer.

While she mostly enjoyed gospel music such as James Cleveland, Shirley Caesar, and the Hawkins Family, Sophia also enjoyed listening to jazz at Mayme Moore Park and the Jazz and Rib Festival. Her hobbies were bowling, traveling, and watching her favorite TV. shows, the Price is Right and Victor on the Young & the Restless. Her favorite song was Al Green’s, “Love and Happiness”. She also enjoyed watching football and basketball; her favorite player was the late Kobe Bryant.

Sophia Osborne-Chatman passed away peacefully on the morning of May 23, 2024, at home with her family by her side. Sophia is preceded in death by her parents, Luke and Ila Mae Moore; her husband, Bart Chatman; her ex-husband, Leroy Osborne; her son, James Moore; her daughter, Cynthia “Cindy” Morgan; her son in law, Clifford Morgan; her grandson, Marcus Friday; brother, Ricardo Moore; her sister, Virigina “Vicki” Williams.

Sophia leaves behind a legacy of compassion and kindness. She is survived by her daughters, Roberta Friday, Sandra Osborne, and Patricia Osborne; granddaughters, Cherise Morgan and Tamika Gills; grandsons, Cortland (Valin) Haynes II, Clifford “Star” (Tabitha) Osborne, Shaka
Slade, Charles (Mary) Moore and Jose Friday; thirty-two great grandchildren; seventeen great-great Children; and five great-great-great grandchildren; sister, Carolyn Modena of California; brother-in-law, Stephen (JoAnn) Mimms of Maryland, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, including special sister friends, Aggie Moorer and Queenie Smithy; and great neighbor, Kimberly (William) Bringham.