At approximately 5pm on the afternoon of Wednesday May 21st, Maria Sue Chapman, 5 years old and the youngest daughter to Steven and Mary Beth Chapman was struck in the driveway of the Chapman home in Franklin, TN.

Maria was rushed to Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital in Nashville, transported by LifeFlight, but died of her injuries there. Maria is one of the close knit family’s six children and one of their three adopted daughters.

More than five years ago, Chapman and his wife MaryBeth founded The Shaohannah’s Hope Ministry after bringing their first adopted daughter, Shaohannah, home from China. The ministry’s goal is to help families reduce the financial barrier of adoption, and has provided grants to over 1700 families wishing to adopt orphans from around the world. Chapman is a five-time GRAMMY ® winner and 54-time Dove Award winning artist who has sold over 10 million albums and garnered 44 No. 1 singles.

Updated 5/22/08 -

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Shaohannah’s Hope Ministry.

Donations can be made to the below P.O. Box and at www.showhope.org/maria  or www.shaohannahshope.org/maria

Shaohannah’s Hope P.O. Box 647 Nashville, TN 37065

Condolences can be sent to: P.O. Box 150156 Nashville, TN 37215

In addition, the following statement has come from Chapman’s manager, Jim Houser:

"Maria Sue Chapman, adopted and youngest daughter to Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman, was killed in a tragic accident in the family driveway on Wednesday evening. She was LifeFlighted to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital but for only reasons God can explain she went home to Him ... not to Franklin as we all so desperately wanted.

Your prayers are needed for all in the Chapman family. This is a family who has so generously loved and given to so many. Just hours before this close knit family was celebrating the engagement of the oldest daughter Emily Chapman, and were just hours away from a graduation party marking Caleb Chapman's completion of high school. Now, they are preparing to bury a child who blew out 5 candles on a birthday cake less than 10 days ago. These words are unthinkable to type. And yet we trust in a God who was not surprised by this and because of Jesus I am certain through faith in Him we will see Maria again."

Chapman’s website has posted a special video diary in memory of Maria that you can access by going to www.chapmanchannel.typepad.com/inmemoryofmaria/

Funeral arrangements have been announced for Maria Sue Chapman, details below:

Friday May 23rd Visitation 5-8pm

Saturday May 24th Memorial Service 11am

at Christ Presbyterian Church

2323 Old Hickory Blvd Nashville, TN

www.stevencurtischapman.com

www.showhope.org