Charles H Chambers Sr.

Charles Howard Chambers, Sr., 93, of Powder Springs, Georgia, passed away at home on February 2nd with his wife Helen and her daughter Elise by his side. Charles was born in East Point, Georgia, the youngest of seven children, to Henry Grady Chambers, a one-time streetcar operator, and Claudia Idell Jones, an expert seamstress who did alterations for Hirsch & Company. For most of his childhood, the family lived in and around Martin Street and Cleveland Avenue until they moved into what was known as “The Big House.”

Charles attended Harris Street Elementary School and was a 1945 graduate of Russell High School. His participation in ROTC gave him a sense of belonging, allowing him to dress well and put away the overalls which he wore, barefooted, in his elementary years. It also prepared him for military service when, on April 9th, 1946, shortly after his 18th birthday, he was drafted into the Army, serving until the war’s end.

Charles became a member of Phi Delta Kappa fraternity in 1949 attending many events and annual conventions and was honored with a lifetime membership in 2020. In the ‘70s, he attended bartending school, and brother “Charlie” spent many a Saturday night behind the bar when he wasn’t on the dance floor. He loved cutting a rug with Helen, his very own PDK Sweetheart, while the entire club cheered them on.

When a Russell classmate organized a 50th year reunion, Charles attended, and from that point forward helped with quarterly luncheons and their 70th class reunion until too few classmates remained to continue their get-togethers.

Charles had many jobs in his lifetime, but as an adult worked as the principal tabulating clerk at International Harvester from 1951 to 1970 followed by running the computer room at The Insurance House where he retired in 1991. He participated in off-hours adventures with his work friends, such as hiking on the Appalachian Trail and once constructing a Budweiser-themed vessel to sail in the Chattahoochee Raft Race.

When his children were small, every vacation was a camping trip, whether along the Blue Ridge Parkway, Shenandoah Valley, the Outer Banks, the North Georgia mountains, or -- the most spectacular -- a month-long cross-country trip in 1969. Later in life he continued to travel with his new bride Helen, trading his tent and pop-up camper for a pull-behind trailer, and joined several camping clubs, including Georgia Generals Scotty Club serving as president from 1996 to 1999.

Shortly after retiring in 1991, fraternity brother and founding member of the East Point Historical Society, Jake Goen, invited Charles to visit the facility on Norman Berry Drive. From 1993 to March of 2020, Charles served as the Thursday volunteer, mostly because he loved his hometown but also to avoid having to cut his grass with scissors to have something to do in retirement. Charles had a keen memory and enjoyed reminiscing about all things East Point and many other topics, including Ruger convertible guns, National Parks, and camping; he regaled many visitors with his vividly recalled stories. He was a reliable and loyal friend, a patriotic American, a McGyver of sorts who did many a home-improvement project, and was often called upon by family and friends to help with projects or, more likely, to help them move.

Charles was predeceased by his youngest son, Curtis Paul Chambers, grandson Michael Lee Chambers, first wife Marian Chambers, his parents, and his six siblings: Opal McGarrah, Roy Chambers, Alice Gottry, Jamie Chambers, Merrill Chambers, and Gladys Gentry. Charles was quick to shed a tear while reminiscing about lost family and friends and felt duty-bound to attend their services whenever possible. Discussions of these events rarely passed without mention of his beloved Mama’s funeral in 1956 where there were more flowers than he had ever seen, before or since. After a Russell classmate’s service where he learned of the friend’s notable accomplishments, Charles remarked that he had never done anything big. His daughter reminded him that the world would be a better place if more people worked hard, paid their bills, honored their commitments, and helped others as he did.

Charles is survived by his wife of 40 years, Helen Dickens Chambers; eight children: Linda (Thomas) Ledbetter, Charles H. “Chip” (Peggy) Chambers, Jr., Leah (Barry) Hager, Leslie (Kevin) Champion, SFC Christopher (Tonya) Chambers (Ret.), Chuck (Regina) Yarbrough, Melissa Conn, and Elise Yarbrough; fourteen grandchildren: Paul (Noni) Chambers, Katie (Bronson) Sheffield, SGT Robert Chambers, Jennifer Hager, Sarah Hager, Emily Hager, Charly (Patrick) Hughes, Kristi (Tony Garceau) Champion, Remi Yarbrough, Caden Yarbrough, Chaz Yarbrough, Shane Conn, Jake Conn, and Channing Yarbrough; fifteen great-grandchildren: Michela Hand, Malachi and Cassie Chambers; Arilynn and Arianna Chambers; Brooklyn Bodie; Jo, Wesley, and Boone Hughes; Kambryn and Silas Conn; Kayson Conn; Maddox Yarbrough; two babies due this summer; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends from all facets of his life.

The family would like to gratefully acknowledge Charles’ caregivers through his final year: Helen’s daughters Melissa and Elise; the staff of Kindred Hospice Douglasville, especially Kim and Hailey; and his children Chip, Leah, and Leslie.

To donate in memory of Charles H. Chambers, Sr., please visit the East Point Historical Society at www.eastpointgahs.org.