Beulah M. Chambers

Beulah Mae Manley Chambers was born Sunday, October 11, 1936 to the late Ruffin Manley and Beulah Boone Manley in Handsom, VA.  She was the youngest of six children born to this union.  At her daughter’s home, on Tuesday, December 18, 2018, she peacefully transitioned to her heavenly home with her daughter by her side.

She received her early education in Isle of Wight County, VA, where she twice skipped a grade in elementary school.  She went on to graduate from Isle of Wight County High School.  Having a desire to further her education, she attended Virginia State College (now Virginia State University), receiving a Certificate in Business Administration. 

While employed at the Norfolk Naval Base in Norfolk, VA, she met the love of her life, Raymond Chambers.  Following a “rooftop romance” during lunchtimes, they were married in 1956.  God blessed this union with the desires of Beulah’s heart:  two daughters and two sons:  Angela, Sheila, Raymond Jr., and Barry.  With the birth of their first child, Beulah became a stay-at-home mother until their last child was in school.  Their children were later able to show their love by hosting a Surprise 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration, and what a surprise it was!

Having accepted Christ at an early age, Beulah united with the Morning Star Baptist Church in Windsor, VA, where she served in the Junior Choir and later taught Sunday School and served as Church Secretary.

In 1974, her husband’s job transferred the family to Harrisburg, PA.  The entire family joined the Goodwin Memorial Baptist Church on the same Sunday morning.  Over the next 40 years, Sis. Chambers served in various capacities throughout the church, including Sunday School Superintendent, Past President of the Deaconess and Missionary Ministries, Vacation Bible School Director, Christian Education Chairperson, member of Hospitality Ministry, Seasoned Saints, Co-Editor of the Church Newsletter, and delegate to many conventions.  In addition to her own church, Sis. Chambers served faithfully for many years in the Central Baptist Association, Central Region and State Congresses, and the Pennsylvania Baptist State Convention.  In 2014, Deaconess Chambers united with the Solid Rock Missionary Baptist Church where she was soon named “Mother of the Church.”    In addition, she served as a Deaconess, President of the Missionary Ministry, and Coordinator for Congress and Convention attendees.

In the community, Beulah was a 28 year member of the Blue Mountain Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association; currently serving as its President and having served in most of the officer positions through the years.

Mother Chambers always enjoyed visiting and encouraging the sick and shut-ins, bereaved, and spreading God’s Word.  One of her favorite Scriptures is Psalm 121 and everyone knew her favorite song was “This Little Light of Mine.”  Thus her motto was “This Little Light of Mine, I’m Going to Let it Shine for Jesus.”  During her final days, she had a special message for all who came to visit her, “Take good care of your body but Take Even Better Care of Your Soul.”

During her leisure, she loved family dinners and picnics, traveling and family vacations, cooking, and listening to Gospel music.

In addition to her parents, Mother Chambers was predeceased by her loving and devoted husband of almost 52 years, Deacon Raymond W. Chambers and siblings Jesse A. Manley, Rev. Dr. John R. Manley, Katie M. Gay, and Horace I. Manley.  She leaves to cherish precious memories, a sister Eunice M. Young of Mechanicsville, VA; a sister-in-law Agnes Chambers of Baltimore, MD; her children:   Angela Chambers Ellis (Paul Cornell), Sheila R. Chambers, Raymond W. Chambers, Jr. (Renee’), and Rev. Barry D. Chambers (Donna); 11 grandchildren:  Stacie Purvis (Terrence), Tracie Sanders (Tony), Nathaniel, Jennifer, and Quentin Ellis; Christina Chambers, Jonathan and Jasmine Chambers, Dwaine Wright, Marcie Bryant(Wade), and Chelsea Chambers; 8 great grandchildren:  Christyan, Shaun, Mia, Heaven, Brielle, Mari, Dominic, and Elijah; devoted family friends Matthew and Gwendolyn Moses; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Your presence on earth will be greatly missed, but your teachings will last forever, for you have fought a good fight and finished the race.  Now your eternal home awaits you.  To God Be the Glory for a Life Well Lived!  Your light shall continue to shine through all of us!

Lovingly Submitted,

Her Family