James Albert Chambers

James Albert Chambers, 81, of 22 Wynne Drive, Asheville, died Friday, January 30, 2004, at a Hendersonville nursing home. A native of Asheville, he was a son of the late Aldine Garrison Chambers and O. E. “Dock” Chambers, Sr. and was also preceded in death by his wife, Myrtle Candler Chambers, who died in 2003, a brother, O.E. “Toad” Chambers, Jr., two sisters, Marjorie Dolittle and Valerie C. Penland, and a granddaughter Kelly Ann Chambers. He was a WWII Army Air Corp veteran where he served as a tailgunner on B-17s and B-24s flying 30 successful combat missions in Europe as a lead crew member. Mr. Chambers worked in the grocery business and more recently operated his own small engine repair business for more than 40 years. He was a life member of the VFW Post #5206, Hendersonville and a member of Bethel Baptist Church. Survivors include three daughters, Beverly Rogers of Weaverville and Rita Bailey and Lynn Worley of Fletcher; a son, Dale Chambers of Hendersonville; two step-daughters, Betty Smith and her husband Jack of Leicester and Charlene Smith of Asheville; 12 grandchildren; 4 step-grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren and 2 step-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be 6:00 pm Sunday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home with the Revs. Dan Stephenson and Claude Surrett officiating. His family will receive friends following the service and at other times will be at the home of Jack and Betty Smith, 42 Jones Road, Leicester. Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Hendersonville VFW Post #5206 at 1:00 p.m. Monday at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Enka. Pallbearers will be Ronnie Redmon, Mike Redmon, Mike Bartlett, Randy Dowdle, Tommy Donati and Gene Meece. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Mountain Area Hospice, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813, or to Four Seasons Hospice, PO Box 2395, Hendersonville, NC 28793.