Jean (Hurley) Chambers

Jean Hurley Chambers, aged 76 of North Little Rock, wife of Judge Newbern A. Chambers (retired), died on July 5, 2001.  Mrs. Chambers was born February 2, 1925 in Newport, Arkansas, to Mr. and Mrs. W.B. Hurley.

She is survived by her husband Newbern; two daughters, Mary Alice Chambers of Hot Springs and Cindy Chambers of Little Rock; one half-sister, Mrs. Robert Heffelfinger of Pensacola, Florida; and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and a half-sister, Mrs. Carl (Margaret Hurley) Lindsey Sr., of Searcy.

As a child, Mrs Chambers was a prodigy who received national attention for having learned to read before she was two. She graduated from Newport High School at age 16 and attended Gulfpark Junior College for Girls in Gulfport, Mississippi, where she received an associate’s degree in arts at age 18. She never earned less than a perfect grade point average.

For a number of years, she was a civilian employee with the Army Reserve Command in Little Rock and a secretary for Peterson, Garvey and Joseph, Contractors. From 1957 on, she undertook what she considered her most important profession, full-time homemaker.

In addition to being a homemaker, she was a wonderful mother and wife, an avid reader, active correspondent, and family photographer. She kept a daily diary for nearly fifty years that chronicled the day-to-day activities within the family. Also, she managed to prepare a balanced meal every night, read the daily newspaper, keep the house spotless, and work crossword puzzles and cryptograms to keep her mind “active.”

In addition to her human family, she will be greatly missed by her “granddog” Nikki, and “grandcat” Beatrice, as well as other family pets.

Everyone is welcome to the graveside service being held in Lebanon Cemetery near McRae, Arkansas at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 7, 2001.  The Reverend Larry Benfield will officiate.  The family will welcome visitors from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Westbrook Funeral Home in Beebe and Saturday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. at 9210 MacArthur Drive in North Little Rock. In lieu of flowers, memorials should be sent to the Humane Society of Pulaski County, 14600 Colonel Glenn Road, Little Rock, AR, 72210. Additional information and directions can be found at www.westbrookfuneralhome.com.