MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Frazier

A RESOLUTION TO COMMEND DR. VERA MAE CHAMBERS FOR HER OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO HER CHURCH, HER COMMUNITY, AND HER MANY STUDENTS.

WHEREAS, Dr. Vera Mae Chambers, 82, of Wiggins Street in Jackson, Mississippi, was a retired teacher; and

WHEREAS, Vera was the fourth child born to the late Baxter Charles Chambers and Elvira Dickey Chambers on March 23, 1916; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Chambers died of heart failure February 27th at the Mississippi Baptist Medical Center; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Chambers was a native of Wiggins, Mississippi, who attended Stone County Training School; and

WHEREAS, she received a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Jackson State University, a masters degree from Indiana University in Bloomington, an Ed.Sp. from Jackson State University, and an honorary doctorate from Natchez College; and

WHEREAS, she taught in the Counties of Stone, Harrison, Perry and Hinds prior to teaching for 35 years in the Jackson Public Schools; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Chambers holds life membership in the Jackson State University national and local alumni associations, the Indiana University National Alumni Association, the Mississippi Association of Educators, the National Education Association and many community and civic organizations; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Chambers was a member of Pearlie Grove Missionary Baptist Church on Grand Avenue, where she served faithfully as a Sunday School teacher, choir member, church clerk and church treasurer, as well as various other jobs, until her health failed; and

WHEREAS, she was preceded in death by four brothers and four sisters; and

WHEREAS, her survivors include her godson, Jesse Chambers, Jr., brothers Wiley Chambers of Memphis, Tennessee, Kernevis Chambers of Wiggins and Jesse L. Chambers, Sr., of Hattiesburg, and sisters Thelma Chambers of Wiggins, Patient Thomas of Gulfport and Olivia Vanerson and Elvenia Harrison of Jackson, as well as ten nieces, seven nephews and a host of great-nieces and great-nephews; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Chambers was an inspiration to the people of her community, as well as to all the students whose lives she touched; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this body to commend the achievements of the native sons and daughters of this state:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend Dr. Vera Mae Chambers for a life lived uprightly and as an example to all, and extend the thanks of a grateful state for the contributions she made so unstintingly, especially to the children who were her students.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Dr. Chambers.