Reba A. Chamberlain

Reba Aleen Stuart Chamberlain was born April 7, 1925 in Jonesboro, Arkansas to Arthur and Dora Chambers. She shared her parents with 3 sisters: Evelyn, Kathleen & Eutha Mae; and 2 brother: Arthur and Galen.

Reba’s parents lived in a small community about 20 miles north of Jonesboro called Paragould. She spoke of her hometown with great affection. She grew up attending Woods Chapel General Baptist Church with her family and it’s where she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior. Reba attended Paragould High School but after a summer romance that led to marriage, Reba moved to Fresno, California. Her marriage was brief but her love for central California lasted for 81 years.

Reba went to work for Charlie and Archie Kratly at Capital Cleaners and frequently reminisced about the people she met and the experience she gained working for them. It was important to Reba to complete her high school degree so in the early 60’s she went to Fresno Adult School and completed the necessary requirements. Reba eventually worked for the county of Fresno in Social Services for nearly 20 years. She retired in October of 1985. Reba also volunteered for the Elks Lodge as a hostess and assisted in coordinating social events. She volunteered her time for many years with the Fresno Armenian Guild. Reba remained active until 92 years of age when she fractured both of her hips in the same year. Though she recovered from 2 hip surgeries in 4 months she knew she would need daily assistance and moved into a residential care home called Apricot Mornings. Reba was grateful to Jack and Anna Hurley and their staff for their care and service, especially to Nobley who was so very kind. Hinds Hospice provided wonderful comfort care and support for Reba over the last several months.

Reba started attending New Hope Community Church in the mid 1990’s and was consistent in her participation and support for nearly 30 years. When she joined the church she requested to be baptized as a public confession of her faith that had started decades ago in Arkansas. New Hope built a new building in 2020 and Reba contributed to it’s funding drive and enjoyed trips to the parking lot see it’s progress. She was so excited to see that facility completed. She developed some good friends at New Hope, several preceded her to Heaven. But she enjoyed the visits in her last few years of Ron Paul, Cecil & Kay, Janice & Eric, Sam & Debbie and Pastor Tim & Shelly. She appreciated hearing from Pastor Tim that some people were still asking about her at church.

Reba had friends in her neighborhood like Mary, Madelyn and LaVerne who she was grateful to have enjoyed as neighbors.

Reba lived to 99 years of age and was the last of her siblings. She out lived most of her friends. Her niece Lola from Oregon was wonderful in sending cards of encouragement and her friends Alverna and Teresa, who now live in Southern California, were faithful in calling, writing and visiting Reba. She was recently asked “if she was excited to make it to her 100th birthday?” Her response was classic. She said, “That’s not my goal.” Her goal was Heaven. Almost every day for the last 12 months her question was, “When do I get to go to Heaven? I’m ready!” Well on Christmas Eve night, at about 4:45, right after she finished her dinner, she laid her head over on her pillow and her Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ, walked her through the valley of shadows and welcomed her to Heaven! Reba is HOME!

Reba’s Graveside Service will be at Belmont Memorial Park 201 N Teilman Ave, Friday, January 10 at 1:30pm with a Celebration of Life Service at New Hope Community Church, 4620 E, Nees, Clovis, CA at 2:30pm