Nemia M. Chai

On May 26, 2021, Nemia Briones Melgarejo Chai of Columbus, Georgia passed away after a brief illness. She was surrounded by her loving family. She will be remembered for her loyal friendship, keen intellect, surprising sense of humor and compassionate heart. A visitation of family and friends will be held Sunday, May 30, 2021 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Rd, Columbus, Georgia 31907, with The Rosary Service to follow at 4:00 pm, the family will visit again after the Rosary Service. A Funeral Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, May 31, 2021 at 11:30 AM at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2000 Kay Circle, Columbus, Georgia 31907. A committal service will be held on Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at 11:00 AM at Parkhill Cemetery, 4161 Macon Rd, Columbus, Georgia. The Rosary Service can be found through Facebook at this page, Striffler-Hamby Mortuary at Parkhill Cemetery or through the website, www.shcolumbus.com . The Funeral Mass can be streamed through St. Anne Catholic Church at www.stannecsg.com/live .

Nemia was born on May 11, 1934 in Kalibo, Aklan, Philippines, only daughter of Felipe Ibabao Melgarejo and Maria Briones Melgarejo. She attended high school at Kalibo Institute and completed her master’s degree in English (Speech) at The Philippine Women’s University in Manila. She earned a second master’s degree (Speech) at The Pennsylvania State University. She completed her Ph.D. (Linguistics) at the University of Pennsylvania.

With her then-husband, Nam Yearl Chai, Nemia joined the faculty at Columbus State University (formerly Columbus College) where she taught Linguistics and English Composition in the Department of Language and Literature. She was a finalist for Professor of the Year in 1997 and retired as professor emerita after over thirty-four years of service. During her active career, she traveled internationally, presented numerous papers and reviewed textbook manuscripts by Houghton Mifflin.

Nemia was a longtime advocate and supporter of women’s and girls’ rights. She served in leadership roles with the American Association of University Women and supported the AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund. She was particularly honored to serve twice as president of AAUW and to represent AAUW at an international conference in China. She also was a member of the Columbus Alliance for Battered Women, Girls Inc., Delta Kappa Gamma, and the Faculty Wives Club at Columbus College.

She prized and promoted her Filipino heritage sharing their culture whenever and where ever possible. An active member of the Filipino American Association since 1989, she was most proud of spearheading the scholarship program during her term as president. Additionally, she was one of the founding members of the Asian Pacific Alliance whose sole purpose was to serve as a political block ensuring a voice for Korean, Indian, Japanese and Samoan in the Columbus community.

Nemia valued community and served on the Mayor’s Commission of Diversity, One Columbus and Altrusa. She was honored with many awards for her service.

Nemia was a dedicated member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church, serving in the Outreach program and as a group leader of the prayer ministry. She will be greatly missed by her parish family.

Nowhere was her dedication more evident than to her family. She championed her children, Vincent Melgarejo Chai and Sonya “Susie” Melgarejo Rheault, demonstrating love with her actions throughout their lives. She was their source of unwavering support during times of difficulty and celebration alike. She was their most fervent protector and strongest advocate. She claimed her son-in-law, Leonard Ernest Rheault, and daughter-in-law, Anneliese VonEhren Chai, as her own children gifting them with the same level of devotion.

Above all, she cherished her grandchildren, Ceallsach “Kelsey” VonEhren Crouch (Benjamin), Vincent Taylor Chai, Christopher Stephen Chai and Savannah Crystal Strieby Chai.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her older brother, Siegfredo Briones Melgarejo, her son-in-law, Leonard Ernest Rheault and her former husband, Nam Yearl Chai.

Besides her children and grandchildren, Nemia is survived by her sisters-in-law, Edna Tabay Melgarejo, and Yolanda Tabay Abel (Rodel). Her nieces, Emma, Cyndi (Jethro), Lynn (Bryan) and nephews, Fernando (Nenet), Hernando (Syndee), and Efren (Robert).

She was Lola to many: Myra (Ruel), Justin (Denise), Jay, Darryl, Phillip (Cyndi), Jun Jun, Reina, Isaiah, Isabella, Jesse, Caitlyn and Isabella.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Filipino American Association, Financial Incentive Award Fund, c/o 6515 Fairfax Way, Columbus, GA 31909 or to St. Anne Catholic Church.