Mary Chambers

Mary Alice Freeman Chambers has gone home to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on December 20, 2013. Her light and vitality will be missed by all who loved her and the many lives she touched along the way. Born January 14, 1927 Mary was a native of Arkadelphia, but she lived in many different places. Bill Chambers, the love of her life for 64 years, was in the service and during that time they had two tours in Japan one in Guam, and were also stationed in California, Colorado, Wyoming, and Arkansas. Her caring nature made a difference in the lives of many where ever she lived. Her volunteering began while Bill was still in the service. She logged over 1000 hours with the United States Air Force Family Services, working with spouses of the enlisted personnel.

After retiring from the service, Mary and Bill returned to Arkadelphia in 1973 to make their home. Mary opened a ceramic shop on Hardin Street. After a while Mary moved their shop to West Pine Street where it remained in operation until 1986. The shop was closed, but Mary's heart was not. She shared her skills by teaching ceramics to patients in the nursing home.

In addition to her business, Mary was very active in volunteering at Baptist Health Medical Center. She worked in the Gift Shop and was in charge of volunteers in the MRI unit. She had been president of the BHMCA Auxiliary three different times for a total of 6 years with over 7,000 hours of volunteer time. She also was in charge of the Candy Stripers (teen volunteers) where she had a positive effect on their young lives as well as coordinating the Red Cross blood drives.

Mary also was very active in the Daughters of the American Revolution (OAR) where she served as Regent of the Arkadelphia Chapter two different times and held most other offices over the years.

Delivering Meals on Wheels is yet another volunteer activity that Mary had been involved with for eighteen years, once again showing the depth of her giving heart.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Bill, sister Lorene Jester, brother Willie Freeman, and great-grandson Anthony Mercer. She is survived by her daughter Linda Grantham, son Jim Chambers; granddaughters Traci Leslie, Mitzi Chambers, and Kelly Polson; her great-grandchildren Carly, Zach, Cody, Jason, Stephanie, Autumn, and Greyson; brother Billy Freeman, sisters Thelma Dixon and Liz Guffey. There are many other relatives and friends too numerous to mention here that have felt Mary's love and generosity that will miss her as well.

Services will be held at Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home at 10:00 AM Friday, December 27, 2013 with visitation at the same location Thursday December 26, 2013 from 6 - 8 PM.