Joe Reed Chambers

July 4, 1932 – May 8, 2026

Joe Reed Chambers, 93, peacefully entered the presence of his Savior Jesus Christ on May

8, 2026.

Born on July 4, 1932, in Lindrith, New Mexico, to Gaston and Ida Chambers, Joe was the

second oldest son in a large and lively family that included seven brothers and two sisters.

He often shared stories of growing up surrounded by football, family adventures, and the

kind of antics only a house full of siblings could create.

Joe attended high school in Carrollton, Texas, where he and his brothers became well

known for their athletic ability on the football field. It was there that he first laid eyes on a

beautiful young girl named Georgetta Stolebarger. Joe loved to tell the story of the day she

walked past him leaving him completely speechless. He was 16 and she was 15. Three

years later, he married her, and together they built a beautiful life that spanned more than

six decades.

After marrying his high school sweetheart, Joe entered the United States Navy in 1951 and

served during the Korean War. During his service, he was a radioman on the USS Valley

Forge and earned the nickname “Chambo,” a name that he talked about proudly.

Using his veteran benefits after returning home, Joe attended Texas A&M University while

raising a young family with Georgetta and their three children. He graduated in 1960 with

degrees in English, Journalism, and Education. Joe taught school in Kurten and Sherman,

Texas, before transitioning into leadership with the Boy Scouts of America in 1968, serving

as a scout executive in Taylor, Austin, Tyler, and Pampa, Texas. An Eagle Scout himself, Joe

deeply believed in mentoring and investing in young people.

In 1981, Joe answered another calling when he joined the Colorado Southern Baptist

Convention. He eventually became director of Ponderosa Southern Baptist Conference

Center in the foothills of Colorado Springs, where he combined his love for ministry,

education, discipleship, and youth leadership. Though he served as a Baptist minister for

many years, those closest to him knew his ministry was never confined to the walls of a

church building. He shared the Gospel everywhere he went.

His mission field was everyday life.

One granddaughter fondly remembers driving two hours during college just to meet him for

dinner. On the way into the restaurant, a homeless man approached them asking for

change. Joe reached into his pocket, pulled out a folded twenty-dollar bill, handed it to the

man, and said, “I have more than some change. This should buy you dinner, but first, let me

tell you about Jesus.” That was who Joe was. He was an evangelist, pastor, encourager,

counselor, and steady source of wisdom for everyone around him.

But perhaps his greatest earthly devotion was to his beloved Georgetta.

After retiring in 1997, Joe and Georgetta spent years traveling together and enjoying life with

family and friends. They visited Europe, Hawaii, New England, and countless other places

before eventually settling again in Taylor, Texas.

To his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Joe was “Papa,” the gentle and faithful

patriarch whose Bible was never far from reach. Summers at Papa’s house meant waking

up to the smell of co􀆯ee and finding him faithfully seated in his quiet corner with his journal

and Bible open. He never turned away curious little ones but instead pulled them close

beneath his arm as he prayed and studied for hours each day. His family remembers his

unwavering faith, steady wisdom, constant prayers, and the deep peace that surrounded

him.

When his beloved Georgetta passed away in August 2019, Joe’s heart was forever changed.

Though his mind gradually faded in the years that followed, his love for Jesus and for people

never did. He often repeated simple truths that reflected the posture of his heart: “I love

you,” “I am a happy man,” and “God is so good.” In recent months, he began asking more

frequently for his Georgetta, longing to see her again.

Now he has.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Georgetta Chambers; his parents, Gaston and Ida

Chambers; his brothers GB Jr., Reuben, Gordon, Dennis Ray, Kenneth, and Paul David

Chambers; and his sister, Janetta.

He is survived by his sister, Frances Walker; his children, JoLynne and husband Charles

Williams, Marilyne and husband James Rowland, Steve and wife Stacy Chambers, and

adopted son Mark Chambers and wife Beverly; grandchildren Michelle and husband Paul

Leal, Justin and wife Sheila Rowland, Jenna and husband Tim Meister, Carli and husband

Patrick Perry, Ste􀆯ani and husband David Dagenette, Lucas Chambers, Brock and wife

Teresa, and Shawna and husband Octavio Mendez; and numerous beloved greatgrandchildren,

nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends who continue

to honor his memory and legacy of faith.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to Shepherd’s

Heart Food Pantry in Taylor, First Baptist Church in Taylor, or Mercy Ministries c/o Ricky

Aulds in Phoenix, Arizona: www.mercyministriesphx.com | (410) 596-7194.

Joe Chambers leaves behind a legacy of steadfast faith, devoted love, servant leadership,

and generations of lives pointed toward Jesus because of his example.