Shirley Ann Chambers

03-09-1935 to 08-16-2019

 

Linn County News

Published Aug. 21, 2019

 

Shirley Ann Chambers, 84, amazing mother, grandmother, great grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt and mammie to many, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, at Prairie Elder Care Home in Overland Park, Kan. Shirley was born in Fort Scott, Kan., March 9, 1935, to Cleatis Carl and Thelma Mae (Cummings) Duncan. 

She had to drop out of high school with the passing of her mother when she was 16. She then helped raise her younger siblings. She worked at the local drug store counter and Mercy Hospital. The nuns at Mercy taught her to make pies, which was just the beginning of her famous pie making skills. Being from a family with little means, she would buy a yard of fabric after receiving her paycheck on Fridays and go home and make a skirt for a date that night. She was a self-taught master chef, baker, gardener, artist, seamstress, designer and entertainer.

She married William (Bill) Gerald Chambers on Sept. 12, 1953. They moved to Johnson County and raised their family. Bill and Shirley opened and operated many companies during their 52 years of marriage. In 1991 they moved to La Cygne, Kan., for their retirement. She loved to host her famous brunches, and that love grew into hosting luncheons, showers and weddings. She believed everyone deserved the wedding of their dreams, and she made sure they did.

Her wisdom and comforting nature always shined through as with the passing of her husband. She said, “In memory there is a resurrection of the life of a spirit. Memory is our hold on to the past, our solace in the present and our hope in the future.” When you think of Shirley, may you remember her love, kindness, generosity and tenacity she had for life.  May her smile illuminate your path and brighten your way.

She was extremely proud of her family and the love they have for one another. She loved teaching her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren life lessons. She loved unconditionally and had the most giving spirit, a true disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ. Her love for him was evident in every part of her daily life. She was a true follower of Christ and lived in his word.

Shirley is survived by her brother, Dean (Barbara) Duncan, of La Cygne; sisters-in-law Jaunita (Chambers) Long of La Cygne and Sue (Moore) Duncan of Overland Park; four daughters, Ruth Anne Lawrence of Stilwell, Kan., Susan Gaye (Kenny) Walker of La Cygne, Janet Lea (Walt) Eldridge of La Cygne, and Linda Jo (Steve) Hisel of La Cygne; a son, Robert “Jerry” (Jamie) Chambers, of La Cygne; 19 grandchildren; and 44 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Thelma and Carl Duncan; her husband, Bill Chambers; infant son William Gerald Chambers Jr.; brother Dennis Duncan; sisters Donna (Duncan) Parker and Doris (Duncan) Belcher; brothers-in-law Joe Chambers, Jim Chambers, Vernon Long and John Parker; sisters-in-law Virginia (Salmon) Chambers and Sally (Bremerkamp) Chambers; and son-in-law Steve Lawrence.

We were blessed to find the perfect home for Mom in her final years at Prairie Elder Care. The caretakers and staff took great care of her, showing her love and compassion. Ascend Hospice stepped in and provided much comfort to not only Mom but to our whole family. We are so blessed and grateful for them all. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, La Cygne. Burial will be at Fort Scott National Cemetery. The rosary will be prayed at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at the church, followed by sharing of memories and visitation until 7 p.m. at the church.

Contributions are suggested to Grady's Kids or Shirley Chamber Dementia Foundation, c/o Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box 304, La Cygne, KS 66040. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.

OBITUARIES

Bonnie Faye Bishop ~ 03-25-1949 to 04-22-2025

thumb

  Linn County News Published April 30, 2025   Bonnie Faye Bishop, age 76, Olathe, Kan., passed away Tuesday, April 22, 2025. She was born on March 25, 1949, in Kansas City, Mo., the daughter of William and Imogene Krueger Carter. After graduating from high... [More]

Lois A. Murray ~ 11-03-1931 to 04-20-2025

thumb

Linn County News Published April 30, 2025   Lois A. Murray, age 93, formerly of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away on Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Overland Park, Kan. Lois was born the daughter of Arlie and Winifred Stanhope Poindexter on Nov. 3, 1931, near Drexel, Mo.... [More]

Dr. Howard F. Wilson ~ 02-05-1938 to 04-20-2025

thumb

Linn County News Published April 23, 2025   Dr. Howard F. Wilson, age 87, of Garnett, Kan., passed away on Sunday, April 20, 2025, at St. Luke’s South Hospital in Overland Park, Kan. Howard Frank Wilson was born on Feb. 5, 1938, in Garden City, Mo. He was the... [More]

More Obituaries

View All Obituaries
PLEASANTON WEATHER

NEWS

SPECIAL: Legislative Update

thumb

April 18, 2025 Kansas Land and Military Installation Protection Act, SB 9, prohibits foreign adversaries from purchasing property within 100 miles of a military installation and any foreign adversary ownership of non-residential real property purchased prior to July 1, 2025,... [More]

16 criminal cases from Tanglewood Lake incident dismissed

thumb

Late Wednesday afternoon, April 16, orders were filed dismissing all 16 current cases on file in Linn County District Court concerning the Tanglewood Lake gate incident, 14 of which were filed against separate individuals that stemmed from the incident in May 2023. According... [More]

Tanglewood seeks clarification, aid from county

thumb

During the April 21 meeting, Linn County Commissioner Jason Hightower reported to his fellow board members that he had met with the Tanglewood Lake board president and a resident the previous week and noted that they wanted a resolution or motion that clarified if the roads are... [More]

More News

SPORTS

Jayhawk track wins the Pleasanton Invitational

thumb

The Jayhawk Linn track team traveled to Pleasanton on April 15 for the Pleasanton Invitational. The Hawks did very well as both the boys’ and girls’ teams won the meet. The girls won with a score of 188 points while the boys won with a score of 127 points. There were... [More]

Pleasanton track places in top three at home invitational

thumb

The Pleasanton track team hosted their home invitational on April 15. The Jays did well as both the boys’ and girls’ teams placed in the top three out of nine teams. The boys were second with 92 points while the girls were third with 107.5 points. “It was... [More]

More Sports

OBITUARIES POLICY

• May be mailed, e-mailed, faxed or hand delivered.
• Must be received by 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning in order to appear in that week's edition.
• Obituaries submitted by funeral homes will be billed to the funeral home.
• Full obituaries submitted by individuals are required to be paid in advance.
• Cost: $40 for 300 words or less. Each additional word over 300, 10¢. Photograph $5.
Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

View Legals for Free Business Directory