Celebration of Life (Obituary)

Dorothy Mae Chambers was born on Friday, May 29, 1925, at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. She arrived before her parents, John and Celia Murphy, had chosen a name for her, so her birth certificate reads "Baby Murphy".  She was lovingly raised in Baltimore along with her six sisters (Christine, Naomi, Irene, Eleanor, Audrey, Jean), and four brothers (John, Leonard, Alfred, and Melvin), all of whom preceded her in death.

Dorothy gave her life to the Lord at an early age and was baptized at the Faith Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland, by the late Reverend Simon Williams.

In high school, she became friends with an upper classmate, James David Chambers, Jr. What started as a friendship quickly led to dating, and in 1943, they were married just before James (who enlisted in the Navy) left to fight in World War II. Dorothy didn't just sit at home waiting; she and her mother-in-law, the late Carsie Chambers, packed bullets to support the troops. The Murphy / Chambers connection was so strong that ten years later, Dorothy's sister Naomi and James' brother Evans (Skippy) were also married.

Four children were born to James and Dorothy's union. As it is with many military wives, Dorothy often carried the full load of parenting for months at a time, while James served his country at sea. Although she had many opportunities to move their family to exciting duty stations such as Japan, this born and bred Baltimore girl chose to stay close to home and reap the benefits of their family's support. In 1961, she bravely left all she knew, and she moved their family to Long Beach, California, James' new duty station. Then, in the summer of 1963, they moved to Oxnard, California, where James was stationed at the Point Mugu Naval Base, where he retired in 1964, completing 25 years of service.

That same year, James and Dorothy joined Saint Paul Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend Jesse Walker. Dorothy served there for 59 years in various ministries, including as a member of the senior choir, Sunday and Vacation Bible School teacher, chairperson of the mothers' board, bereavement and benevolence committees, and member of the scholarship committee. She was also a deaconess and pastor's wife (James served as Associate Pastor). She also had the honor of participating on the committee that selected Saint Paul's current senior leader (her choice), Pastor Edward Cryer.

During the early years in Baltimore, Dorothy graduated from cosmetology school, choosing a career where she could work from home and be present while her children were young. After their move to California, Dorothy was certified in Early Childhood Development and worked for many years with special needs children.

In 2007, after 64 years of marriage, Dorothy's beloved husband went home to be with the Lord. Realizing "it was time to stop crying", Dorothy sought the Lord to find her purpose in this new season of life. She began studying in her late husband's library, resulting in the publication of her first book, "Papers," at age 90. Papers, never sold, always freely given, has been shared throughout the United States and in the Republic of Kenya. Dorothy said the Holy Spirit led her who He desires to encourage and inspire by receiving a copy of her book. Ten years later, in her second book "Papers 2", she shares her passion for bringing all to the priceless gift of salvation, the matchless opportunity for intimacy with Jesus, and the anticipation of Christ's soon return.

In 2023, Dorothy and her daughter Brenda moved to Lavon, Texas. It was very difficult leaving her beloved California family and friends behind; however, she believed that the Holy Spirit confirmed her move. In Texas, she was able to touch the lives and share her love with her other grandchildren and great-grandchildren while always staying connected with her East Coast and West Coast family and friends. In Texas, she joined New Hope Fellowship Church under the leadership of Pastor Frank Chavez, becoming loved and sought after as their most senior member.

On Monday, April 28, one month and one day shy of her 100th birthday, God called Dorothy home to her reward. She leaves to cherish her memory, her sister-in-law Irene Hood, daughter Brenda Turner, son Edward (Terri), daughter-in-law Pauline, 22 grandchildren, a quiver full of great and great-great grandchildren, and an innumerable number of family and friends. She was proceeded in death by her husband, Reverend James D. Chambers, Jr., her son James D. Chambers, III, son in-law Harold Turner, daughter Dorothea, who passed shortly after her birth, brothers-in law and sisters-in-law, Earl Chambers, Edward Chambers, Charles and Agnes Chambers, Evans and Naomi Chambers, Wilbur Hood, Donald Chambers, Angie and Robert McCullum.