Lois Gayle Chambers, 87, departed this life Monday, July 15, 2024, in Roseburg, OR. She was born February 6, 1937, in Andrew County, MO, to the late Harold and Charlene (Vanfossan) Davison.
Gayle grew up in Savannah, MO and graduated from Savannah High School in 1955. She played the clarinet in her high school marching band and carried her love of music with her all her life. She continued her education and became a registered nurse, graduating from the St. Lukes School of Nursing in Kansas City, MO in 1957. She loved her chosen profession and worked in a variety of settings during her 50-year career as a nurse. A few months after graduating from nursing school, on August 31, 1958, Gayle married William “Bill” Bales Chambers in Savannah, MO. The couple lived in Columbia, MO until Bill graduated from Veterinary School, and they moved to Doniphan, MO in 1960.
Doniphan truly became home for Gayle and “Doc” Chambers. Here they raised two children, made life-long friends, played on the beautiful Current River, worked, and engaged in myriad church and community activities. After their own children were grown, Gayle and Bill enjoyed hosting numerous foreign exchange students for several years.
While living in Doniphan, Gayle worked as a nurse at Ripley County Memorial Hospital and Ripley County Health Clinic, as well as hospitals in Poplar Bluff. She also worked alongside her husband in his veterinary clinic treating pets and farm animals in the area. Gayle was an active member of the Doniphan United Methodist Church. She was also a member of PEO, the Jr. Fiction Club, and the Red Hatters for many years.
Gayle was a devoted wife and mother as well as a genuine “people person”. Throughout her life she found great satisfaction in service to community and interactions with friends both old and new. Friendships and family relationships were her greatest joy, and she was blessed with many, many cherished friends.
She loved nature, the outdoors, and animals of all kinds (cats in particular!). She enjoyed travel, reading, canoeing, swimming, horse-back riding, camping, and walking; and barbeques, fish fries, and picnics. She delighted in listening to live music of all kinds: beloved church hymns, Irish songs, blue-grass and old-time fiddler tunes, and choral group performances of many genres.
Gayle lived in Doniphan for 62 years before moving with her two cats to Roseburg, Oregon in September 2022 to be near her daughter. Here she found new friends, adventures, and the support needed to help her live her best life until her passing.
Her beloved husband, Bill Chambers, preceded her in death on August 10, 2021. She was also preceded by her brother, Jerry Wayne Davison, on June 13, 2022.
Surviving are her son and daughter, Kevin (Mary) Chambers of Jonesboro, AR and Sherri Chambers (Diana Bailey) of Roseburg, OR; her granddaughter, Sarah Strobel (Grant) of Cave Springs, AR; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held at Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at 1:00 p.m.; followed immediately by a 2:00 p.m. Celebration of Life Service. Pastor Kent Wilfong will be officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to the Doniphan United Methodist Church Rebuilding Fund.
