Chism Trails

Inspiring Travelers from our Real Adventures

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Shop
    • RV Must Haves
      • RV Kitchen Favorite Items
      • RV Inside Favorite Items
      • RV Outside Favorite Items
      • RV Set Up Items
      • RV Maintenance Items
    • Travel Must Haves
      • Travel by Car
      • Travel by Airplane
  • Travel Tips
    • Stay Healthy
    • Adventures
    • Planning
    • Food
  • Genealogy
  • Homeschool
  • About Us
    • Contact
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Privacy Policy
  • Subscribe
Home Genealogy Loving Husband and Father – Mark Chism

Loving Husband and Father – Mark Chism

December 28, 2021 By Eujeana Chism 17 Comments

In loving memory, we honor Mark Thomas Chism of Murfreesboro, TN, who, at the age of 56, went to his heavenly home (December 24, 2021) after a 5-year battle with a neurological disorder.

Mark came to Murfreesboro as a volunteer bus driver with a busload of deaf children from the Bahamas. He drove them from Florida to the Bill Rice Ranch for a week of camp. He had just gotten saved and heard the call to serve others at his church. 

He moved to Murfreesboro back in 1987 to work at the ranch, working on their computers. He met his wife, Eujeana, at a Shoney’s Restaurant, where she was working as a waitress after church visitation one night. He sat at one of her tables. 

On their first date many years ago, they went to the Opryland Hotel conservatory on Valentine’s Day and walked through the beautiful gardens. They came upon the harpist as he was playing  “Edelweiss.” Eujeana remembers Mark breaking into song and sang to her as they played the music. You see, he was an opera singer so his voice was well-trained, and he didn’t hold back. It was beautiful, to say the least. Many applauded when he finished and the harpist invited him to come sing more, but Eujeana said, “Thank you but no. HE is mine tonight!”

Serving

Mark’s favorite verse:

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. Gal 5:13 

He served many churches in the area by leading and establishing children’s ministries, music ministries, and leading college and career classes over the years. Being involved in the church was very important to him. 

He traveled all over the world as a Senior Project Manager, leading many big projects for some major companies. His favorite trip was getting to see the Taj Mahal in India. On that trip, the airlines lost his luggage, so that was a challenge, but they learned how to wire money from home so he could get some things to tide him over until they found his luggage.

Family

He served his family by caring for them for all their needs, even working three jobs simultaneously at times when we struggled to make ends meet. Even though Eujeana offered to get a job, he wanted her to have the opportunity to be home with the kids. He was passionate about their decision to homeschool the children, and he did everything possible for them to afford to be able to educate and teach their children.

While Eujeana concentrated on the academics, he worked on the extra-curricular. He refereed soccer with the boys. He took the oldest to classical guitar concerts. Mark ventured into amateur radio with his second child and helped him get his pilot’s license. Then their older daughter wanted to play the harp, and there was no way daddy would say no, so he found her a harp and lessons. Then he helped find a way she could foster her passion for sewing as well. The youngest loved animals, so he researched ways to help her gain knowledge and experience, finding a way to get her involved in dog training and pet therapy. He also found the Zoo Teens Program, in which she was able to participate. He was always eager to help his children succeed. 

He took his family on many, many adventures over the years. If there was a monument in the town they were visiting, he found it and took his family there. The kids remember so many of those historical sites even today. 

Adventures

He and his wife ventured into purchasing their own camper back in 2014 when they went to Yellowstone and had such a great time. The couple upgraded to a little bigger camper and took so many trips, including an adventure to Acadia, Maine. He taught Eujeana how to drive the camper, and she did all the backing because he was dyslexic. He could tell her how and what to do, but backing was not his thing.  They learned early on it wouldn’t end well if he did any backing up. One time they were traveling and pulled into a toll booth, but it was closed, so they had to back up (luckily no one was behind them). He looked at Eujeana and said, “we need to switch seats. I can’t back this thing up”. So they did the seat swap and she backed it up and pulled in to the next toll booth. Then, they switched seats again, heading on their merry way, laughing together. They did that a lot and just had fun doing it. 

Over the last few years, as his health was starting to decline, he still made sure that his wife and kids were cared for and made memories with his grandchildren every time they came to visit. He will always be remembered when we hear the bagpipes play or Edelweiss sung. 

As a family, we know he is in a better place and free from pain. The disease that encompassed and controlled his body the last few years was heartbreaking for all of us. We are thankful for the hope that salvation brings and are comforted that he is now able to lift his voice in praise once again in the presence of our Lord. 

He will always be in our hearts, and we will always remember the great adventures over our 33 years together. We made it to 46 states and 2 other countries in our adventures.

“Edelweiss, edelweiss
Every morning you greet me”

We Will Love You Forever!

In Memory

Obituary

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Gifts can be mailed to:

Vanderbilt University Medical Center Development

Attn: Donor Services – Mark Chism Memorial

3322 West End Avenue, Suite 900

Nashville, TN 37203

Checks should be made payable to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Please include a note with the check or indicate on the memo line that the gift is made in memory of Mark Chism

Gifts can also be made online at VanderbiltHealth.org/giving. Please select the checkbox next to “Dedicate my donation in honor or in memory of someone.”

 















Good Sam Travel Assist

Filed Under: Genealogy

About Eujeana Chism

Eujeana has had the privilege of being a stay at home mom and Home Educator for 20 plus years to four wonderful children. She began consulting via HomeWorks by Precept in 2004 with homeschool families from all over the nation. Currently she is a Training Manager for homeschool consultant to further the homeschool blessings across the nation. She is blogging about our homeschool journey over at Reaching Families .

Comments

  1. Judy (Chism) Wegenast says

    December 29, 2021 at 3:09 pm

    Mark, you have lived more than most in the few years you were given. Rest In Peace, you have earned it.

    Reply
    • Eujeana Chism says

      December 30, 2021 at 8:10 am

      Thank you for being a part of our lives! He thoroughly enjoyed every time we were able to spend with you!

      Reply
  2. Lonnie and Linda Hradec says

    December 29, 2021 at 9:48 pm

    My heart praises God for Mark’s testimony to our family. Mark and Eujeana were great friends and mentors. Their faithful ministry in the homeschool community was profound. Mark will be missed, but we know he is praising God in Heaven. We look forward to the day we can join him.

    Reply
    • Eujeana Chism says

      December 30, 2021 at 8:09 am

      Thank you for your kind words!

      Reply
  3. Deanna says

    December 30, 2021 at 3:39 am

    Beautiful love story Gina. I know your heart is hurting. So wonderful that you had so many beautiful memories of Mark. He was a good good man we have always thought alot of. So very sorry for your loss . Love you continued prayers for you and your family.

    Reply
    • Eujeana Chism says

      December 30, 2021 at 8:08 am

      Thank you. He is in good hands now. He told me he will be getting the mansion ready! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Shirley Evans says

    December 30, 2021 at 6:06 am

    So sorry for the loss of your husband, Eujeana. Your family is in my thoughts and my prayers!

    Reply
    • Eujeana Chism says

      December 30, 2021 at 8:07 am

      Thank you Shirley..

      Reply
  5. Melissa Tinnin says

    December 30, 2021 at 11:43 am

    Eugeana, so sorry to hear about Mark. My heart goes out to you. Prayers to you and family. Melissa

    Reply
    • Eujeana Chism says

      December 30, 2021 at 4:23 pm

      Thank you.

      Reply
  6. Robert Chisholm says

    January 3, 2022 at 5:00 pm

    Sad to hear this news. Mark was a valued member of the Clan Chisholm DNA project, and he helped unravel a few mysteries.

    Reply
    • Eujeana Chism says

      January 7, 2022 at 2:51 pm

      He loved working on his Genealogy projects.

      Reply
  7. Aunt Betsy says

    January 4, 2022 at 2:25 pm

    Dear Gina,
    What a beautiful testimony of Mark’s life and his walk with the Lord. I learned many things about him I didn’t know. Of course, only his wife could have known him best of all this side of Heaven. But now, He knows as he is known. There will be no need for him to ask any more “why” questions. The Bible assures us that we will know as we are known.
    Also, your beautiful memorial you have written speaks of your love and devotion to him. It also shows what an incredibly strong woman you are to be able to write this tribute in what has to be your greatest time of sorrow.
    My heart breaks for all of you. My prayers for you will continue. May the Lord bless and keep you in His loving embrace until your sorrow is replaced with only the joy that you and Mark shared in this “temporary” dwelling place.

    Reply
    • Eujeana Chism says

      January 7, 2022 at 2:50 pm

      Thank you for your sweet words! Love you!

      Reply
  8. Christy Herron Summey says

    January 7, 2022 at 8:23 pm

    What a beautiful tribute!!! We are lifting you all up in prayer during these very dark and difficult days. We are so very sorry dear cousin!! Asking God to provide for every need and may He bring comfort to the family.
    Love, Christy and William Summey

    Reply
    • Eujeana Chism says

      January 20, 2022 at 9:41 pm

      Thank you…

      Reply
  9. Kelly Morris says

    August 2, 2022 at 10:33 am

    Thank you for all the times you helped me with school things while taking care of your husband. I know what it is like to care for a failing adult, and your time and energy to give me advice or direction is very much appreciated. I especially enjoyed your eulogy and the positive, upbeat style in which you wrote it. You are a good example to others of how to love, lose, and still live. God Bless You <3

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Welcome!

Welcome as we share at Chismtrails

About Us

We are Mark and Eujeana Chism. Since our marriage 25 plus years ago, we have been traveling. At first it was our homeschool family traveling together. Now our four children are graduated and we have continued the journey. Welcome to our little corner of the internet. We hope to share discoveries from our travels and inspire others to find their own adventures through travel. Please enjoy and engage in the … Read More ....

Amazon Disclosure

Chism Trails is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Connect with us

Visit Us On FacebookVisit Us On TwitterVisit Us On PinterestCheck Our Feed

Follow our Adventures on Instagram

Instagram


Good Sam Travel Assist

Copyright © 2025 Reaching Families