She was born in Birmingham, Alabama to the late Robert and Curtis Gardiner. Joan graduated from the University of Montevallo and then obtained her Ph.D. from the University of Alabama. On June 10, 1955, she married Carl W. Chambers and their union was blessed with two children.
Joan retired after 25 years as a Professor at Samford University. She was very active in her church where she volunteered with the food bank, sang in the choir, and taught Sunday school for over 50 years. She enjoyed camping with friends, going on mission trips with her church, traveling internationally, sewing and cooking.
Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Carl W. Chambers.
Left to cherish her memory are her two children, Rita Schoenherr (Rick); and Dale Chambers (Kathy); two granddaughters, Lauren Benefield (Casey); and Alyssa Taylor (Timothy); and one great-grandchild, Luke Taylor. She is also survived by her brother, Robert M. Gardiner; and her beloved dog, Charlee.
Visitation will be held at Ridout’s Southern Heritage Funeral Home on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm with a funeral service beginning at 1:00 pm. Burial will be at Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham, Alabama.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Lakeside Baptist Church, 2865 Old Rocky Ridge Road, Birmingham, AL 35243, www.lakesidebaptist.com. Or give to the Dr. Joan G. Chambers Memorial Scholarship Fund in the School of Education at Samford University, 800 Lakeshore Drive, Birmingham, AL 35229, www.samford.edu.
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