Ghentel F Chambers

Who Is This Man?  Ghentel Fenimore Chambers, 93, born on January 25, 1930 to the late James R. Chambers and Lucille Perry Chambers in Knoxville, Tennessee. He is the fifth child of seven children.   On October 4, 2023, at 7:14 A.M., in the comfort of his home, surrounded by Priscilla’s love, he peacefully responded to God’s call to enter into eternal rest.

Ghentel accepted Christ at Rogers Memorial Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee.  Scripture says to train up a child in a way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.  Ghentel rededicated his life to Christ and finished his course with the Lord.

Ghentel graduated from Austin High School, Knoxville, Tennessee in 1947.  He attended Tennessee State University for two years majoring in Pre-Dental.  He   served four years, June 1950 to June 1954, in the United States of America Air Force.  Two of those years were served in Japan.  He received several medals; Korean SVC Medal, UN SVC Medal, National Defense SVC Medal, and Good Conduct Medal.

After serving in the Air Force, he moved to Columbus, Ohio.  There, Ghentel met and married his first love, Ardith Smedly.  To this union four children were born.  They were married for forty-one years.  In the latter years of their marriage, Ghentel faithfully and lovingly cared for Ardith until her death in January 1997.

In 2004, Ghentel married the second love of his life, Priscilla Freeman.  He relocated to Houston, Texas.  To this union no children were born.  They were married for nineteen years. Together, they shared a happy and fulfilling life.  He always wanted “his Priscilla” right next to him, and to that, Priscilla faithfully honored him.  They traveled extensively to Maui Hawaii, Cancun, Acapulco, Aruba, Key West Florida, Bermuda, California, to name a few, celebrating Priscilla’s own accomplishments at Western Southern Life Insurance.

Ghentel was a successful, hard-working man.  In Ohio, he worked for Huberts Typewriter Company and Accurate Office Equipment as a typewriter repairman for many years.  In 1963, he was recruited as a Sales Representative with Western Southern Life Insurance Company, also in Ohio.  Three years later, he is promoted to Sales Manager.  His first year as a Sales Manager, Ghentel became the first manager to have four salesmen qualify for the Million Dollar Club.  For five years, he worked in the home office training department. He was promoted to Assistant Superintendent of the Agency and subsequently to Divisional Vice President.  Ghentel is very proud of his achievements at Western Southern. After 28 years of service, he retired.  His retirement was short. Western Southern asked him to return as a Home Office Consultant. He worked another thirteen years, traveling extensively, coast to coast, in the United States.

Ghentel enjoyed traveling, reading and motivating others to a higher standard of life and living.  He mentored numerous persons, in his sphere of influence, on how to support themselves and their families.  He is known for sharing quotations.  He leaves us with his version of Kay L. Stockman’s quote:

“Yesterday is a cancelled check.  Tomorrow is a promissory note.  Today is ready cash – use it!”

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by five siblings:  LaVerne Steveson, Wiladean Simmons, Shirley Melrose, James P. Chambers, and Martina C. Miller.  Ghentel leaves to cherish his memories a devoted and loving wife, Priscilla.  Three daughters; Michelle Chambers Robison (Richard) of Columbus, Ohio; Natasha Lyttle (Cliff) of Atlanta, Georgia; and Deidre Wall (Thomas) of Mechanicsville, Maryland.  One son, Ghentel M. Chambers of Columbus, Ohio:  One sister, Bettye Buckner of Columbus, Ohio; Five grandchildren; Joseph K. Barker lll, Alexis Powell, Myles Wall, Lance Wall, and Thomas Wall; two great grandchildren; Isabella Barker and Sophia Barker;  two sister-in-law’s, Beverly Pollins and Carolyn Garvin; four brother-in-law’s, Richard Pollins (Claretha), James Pollins (Cristina), Kenneth Pollins (Juanita) and Ronald Pollins (Vicky), and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

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