Psalm 73:26
Gloria Ann (Chambers) Carlisle on Friday, October 9, 2020, departed the earthly vessel God gave her and is now in Heaven praising her Savior all the day long. She passed peacefully with all three sons and a grandson at her bedside in Canton, GA. She was preceded in death by her husband of 36 years, James Edward Carlisle, her loving parents Grover and Willie Chambers, and an infant brother, Grover Chambers, III
Gloria was born June 20, 1930, at home on East Point St. in East Point, GA to Grover Cleveland and Willie Mae Chambers. Growing up in East Point she attended and graduated from Russell High School in 1947. After working for Armco Steel she became a full time homemaker and mother to Steve when he was born in 1949. Jimmy was working for BF Goodrich at the time and his career caused a move to Cleveland, TN and Augusta, GA for a number of years where her second son Larry was born in 1957 before moving back to East Point in 1960 where her third son Jeff was born that year. The family resided on Headland Dr. in East Point until moving to Vinings in1975 where her husband Jimmy passed in 1984. Gloria moved toWoodstock in 2001 and in 2016, she moved to Camellia Place in Woodstock where she was lovingly cared for by the staff there.
Gloria was an active member of the East Point community and in the lives of her boys serving as room mother at school, team mother in little league, den mother in cub scouts, and PTA president at Conley Hills Elementary. She loved helping to plan the Halloween carnivals each year at Conley Hills and enjoyed working the concession stands at the ball parks. She loved baseball and remained a life long Braves’ fan and was in attendance in 1995 for the World Series title. Gloria played piano beautifully and loved to sing. It was a highlight of her life to sing in the crusade choir at the Ga Dome when the Billy Graham crusade came to Atlanta. She introduced us to the Gospel and was an active member of Headland Heights Baptist Church, helping with Vacation Bible School each summer.
In Vinings, Gloria and Jimmy made new friends and were again blessed with kindness and love from their neighbors as they had been in East Point. After Jimmy’s death, she became an active member of Norton Park Baptist Church in Smyrna singing in the choir, working in the nursery, and teaching a Sunday School class for children with Downs Syndrome.
After raising her three sons, Gloria enrolled in Kennesaw State University and received a degree in interior design. Upon graduation she started her own business, Vinings Interiors, and eventually purchased a workroom in Smyrna to turn out the pieces she designed for her clients’ homes and family members. She had a beautiful studio in a building adjacent to the RR crossing in Vinings. One of her professional highlights was being given a room to decorate at the Decorator’s Show House one year at the Villa Juanita next door to the Governor’s Mansion. Even though she possessed a rare sense of style and a flair all her own, she wasn’t pretentious. Her house in Woodstock had the same living room furniture we used in East Point and she always appreciated a bargain.
In Woodstock, she was an active member of New Victoria Baptist Church supporting the church with her time and talent, singing in the choir and helping to choose colors and materials for a sanctuary remodel in 2006. She was diagnosed with two rare diseases, one which took most of her hearing, and the other which took the eyesight in one eye. In 2007, the treatment for one of the diseases changed her life. She was unable to drive again and needed personal care but still enjoyed spending time with friends and family at home, shopping, eating out, going to concerts, and other events. Our family was blessed with many wonderful people who helped take care of and love our mother. We are so grateful for each one.
It’s impossible to capture with words the happiness from all the memories springing from a life of ninety years, especially those years in East Point. Gloria had the heart of a servant and took care of others as long as she was physically able. She leaves that legacy with us along with a legacy of love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. She was a treasure to us and, as far as we were concerned, the best and most beautiful mother God gave little boys and grown men. We have lost a mentor, life coach, advocate, friend, caregiver, and role model. She was always there for us. Sometimes to cheer, sometimes to encourage and comfort, sometimes to discipline but always with a love we knew we could never lose.
Gloria is survived by her three sons, Steve, Larry, Jeff, their spouses Betty, Betty, and Beth. Grandchildren, Arthur, Olivia, Gloria Ann Cox (Charlie), David, Laura Brooker (Travis), and John. Great-granddaughter Ann Louise Cox. Brother George (Susan) Chambers. Nephew Clinton Chambers, grand niece Samantha and grand nephew Ty, niece Emily Pullen (Eric) and grand nephews Carter and Sam Pullen. A celebration of her life will be held October 19, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. Woodstock Funeral Home, Main St. Woodstock, GA. with burial to follow at Hillcrest Cemetery in East Point, GA. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Baptist Villages Retirement Communities 2650 Carswell Ave. Waycross, GA. 31503
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