Maria Sue Chapman was 5 year old. Adopted daughter of Steven Curtis Chapman. She was killed in an accident on May 21, 2008.
She was struck by an SUV driven by one of the Chapmans teenage sons as he backed down the driveway of the family's Franklin home. The entire family was home at the time celebrating their eldest daughter's engagement, and several members witnessed the tragedy. Maria Sue later died at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. A spokesman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol termed it "a terrible accident" and said no charges are expected to be filed. Maria was the youngest in the family and one of three daughters adopted from China by Steven and his wife, Mary Beth.
Steven Curtis Chapman was born November 21, 1962 in Paducah, Kentucky. He is a Contemporary Christian musician.
After starting his career in the late 80s as a songwriter, Chapman has turned into one of the most prolific singers in the genre, releasing more than 20 albums to this date. As of 2007, he has sold more than 10 million albums and has 9 gold and platinum albums. Chapman has also won five Grammy awards and 51 Gospel Music Association Awards, more than any other artist in history.
Chapman is also a vocal advocate for adoption, along with his wife Mary Beth. Together, they have adopted three children from China and have started a charity organization called Shaohannah's Hope, which offers grants to qualifying families to help defray the cost of adopting, at home and abroad.
As of 2007, Chapman has been married to Mary Beth Chapman (they shared the same last name prior to their marriage) for 23 years. The couple met in the early 80s at Anderson College in Anderson, Indiana and married in the fall of 1984. They currently live in Franklin, Tennessee, and have three biological children (Emily Elizabeth, Caleb Stevenson, Will Franklin). They adopted three young girls from China (Shaohannah Hope Yan, Stevey Joy Ru, Maria Sue). Sadly, Maria Sue is deceased. (See 'Death of youngest daughter' below).
When Steven and Mary were first married, they struggled with finances and turned to God in prayer. A few days before their anniversary, they found out that Mary was pregnant. When arriving home one night, they noticed fire engines outside their apartment, and realized their apartment had burnt down. They had no insurance to cover the cost of damages, and they moved in with friends. Then Sparrow Records noticed Steven's vocal abilities and signed him.
Together, Chapman and his wife have written three children's books with adoption themes, Shaoey And Dot (2004), Shaoey and Dot: The Christmas Miracle (2005), and Shaoey and Dot: A Thunder and Lightning Bug Story (2006). Together with minister Scotty Smith, Chapman authored two books for the adult inspirational market, Speechless (1999) and Restoring Broken Things (2005). Chapman's song "All About Love" has been featured in commercials for the Fox television show, Celebrity Duets.
Chapman and his sons recorded under the name of "Stevenson" for the 2003 Veggie Rocks CD. (Song: "I Love My Lips", VeggieTales). Chapman also starred in the 2003 film Christmas Child.