James Foster “Hoot” Chambers, 88 (deceased 8/21/19) and Iva Nell Gambrell Chambers, 88 (deceased 8/26/19) longtime residents of Concord/Farragut Tennessee, passed away at home this week within days of each other.
Both Jim “Hoot”, and Nell were born in Wayne County Tennessee, meeting at Collinwood High School and marrying in 1952. Jim, a Korean War veteran, US Air Force, was a radio operator on C-124 Globemasters, and stationed in Japan. They were then transferred to California before discharge in 1954, and coming home to Tennessee. Work then began as telegraph operator with Southern Railway, at the depot of Concord TN, attending the University of Tennessee, and Jim started his own Construction business in 1958, consisting of paving, road boring, sand operations, mining and tunneling. Nell, fulltime mother and longtime homemaker, occasionally worked with good friends at Penney’s in Knoxville.
Both joined Crichton Memorial Church in Concord TN, helping that church become the new First Baptist Church of Concord on Kingston Pike. Jim, once a deacon, and Nell, choir member, fully served for many years in this church, with many lifelong friends. In later life, they changed their letter to Cumberland Baptist, enjoying new friends and fellowship.
Both are survived by only child Tissie Chambers Dent (Buck), only grandson Cameron Culver (Jennifer), and only great-grandson Dalton Culver. Jim was preceded in death by parents Oscar and Marple Stults Chambers, and is survived by sister Barbara Jean Dixon Dugger of Okla. Nell was preceded in death by parents Tab and Mary Caperton Gambrell, and by brothers Howard, Gene and Byron Gambrell. Both Jim and Nell are survived by a large loving family of nieces, nephews and cousins, and are also survived by step grandchildren Erinn and Kaite Dent and step great-grandchildren Sage and Max Dent.
A Visitation for both, will be held in Knoxville TN at The Chapel Bldg E (old sanctuary) at First Baptist Church of Concord, 11704 Kingston Pk, Farragut TN 37934 on Thurs. Sept 5th, 2019 at 5:30-7:30pm. Then on Sat. Sept 7th, 2019, both will be returned to their hometown of Collinwood TN for a Visitation at Railroad Methodist Church from 2:00-3:00 pm and burial services at 3:00 pm for both at Railroad Cemetery 125 Pleasant Springs Church Rd, Iron City TN 38463. After burials, family and friends are encouraged to join us for refreshments at Burns Chapel Baptist Church (fellowship hall/basement) 2000 Chisholm Rd Iron City TN 38463.
(Acknowledgement: a Memorial burial stone will be placed at Bethlehem Cemetery, West Point TN for Nell beside her parents).
