When Marleta Chadwick was a young girl, she lost her parents. In the years that followed, she was raised by her grandfather, a very kind man who owned several small businesses in Celeste, Texas. When she graduated from high school, she attended college, but when she was in her second year, her grandfather died. She then decided to leave college to return home and deal with his businesses. She later married a Baptist minister, and they made their home in Center, where he pastored a church for many years until his death.

In the years that followed her grandfather's death, Chadwick was never in the position to return to college to obtain her degree. She accepted that fact, though she recognized the value of a college education. She also realized the importance of understanding the commitment needed to successfully run a business and to manage finances. She often commented that her life was extremely blessed, both spiritually and financially. This is why she made a charitable gift to the Stephen F. Austin State University Foundation. That gift now supports the Chadwick Banking Program and the Marleta Chadwick Student Financial Advisors.

Chadwick passed away April 14, 2014.