Mable (Hammond) Chamblee

Mable Hammond Chamblee, 94, passed away Friday, February 14, 2020. She was born on December 5, 1925, the daughter of Troy M. Hammond, Sr. and Kate Osborne Hammond in Cerro Gordo, North Carolina. She graduated with honor from Cerro Gordo High in 1943, and was on the basketball, softball and volleyball teams. At 17 she attended Rex Hospital School of Nursing and graduated in 1946 with a nursing degree. After passing the NC State Board she became a Graduate Registered Nurse and worked at Rex for 2 ½ years as supervisor on the 2nd East Wing. In 1946 she met her life companion, Neil P. Chamblee. They each knew they had found the one true love of their life in each other. They were married in 1948 and made their home in Wendell. They were blessed with two children, Jerry and Vicki.

Mable was a lifelong member of the Wendell United Methodist Church where she served in many capacities including Sunday School teacher, Bible School Director, Chairman of the Death and Sickness Program for Families, Choir member for many years, Chairman of the Missionary Program, and a member of the United Methodist Women’s Society where she served as President and Vice President. She also was a member of the Board of Stewards and was the Board Secretary, was elected church representative to the NCUM Conference, and in 1985 was voted the Mother of Year by the Wendell United Methodist Church. During the polio epidemic in the 40s and 50s she worked with the Wake County School System’s immunization program.

Her life was altered drastically in 1969 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. After treatment she became one of the four founding members of Wake County’s branch of the American Cancer Society’s Reach to Recovery Program for breast cancer patients. She remained an active member visiting patients in the hospital and in their homes for almost 25 years. Through this program and her counseling patients she made many lifelong friends. Those that she counseled often remarked of her courage and of how she touched and affected their lives. 

She was a member of the garden club and was the chaplain of the Woman’s Club for many years. She also belonged to two Bridge Clubs for almost 50 years. In 1984, after her husband’s death, she became President of Wendell Tractor & Implement Company and continued in that capacity for 12 years, while also managing the family farms and properties. 

Throughout her life, Mable was known as someone who always cared and gave freely of herself to others. She always had a kind word and compassionate heart, was known for her friendly personality and her nurturing presence, warm and friendly smile, gentle ways and tender spirit.            

She is survived by her two children: Vicki Hartrich (Greg) of Zebulon, Jerry Chamblee (Robert Sheets) of Raleigh and Naples, Florida, her grandchild, who could always make her smile, Damien Chamblee (Cynthia Herendeen); her great-granddaughter, Lillian Virginia; sister, Janice Spivey (Elwood) of Fairmont; niece, Lisa; other nephews and nieces; and her friend and companion of many years, Marie Godwin.    

A service to celebrate her life will be held 2:00 pm, Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at Wendell United Methodist Church, 129 N Main Street, Wendell.

The family will receive relatives and friends prior to the service from 1:00 pm to 1:45 pm at the church family life center.

A private interment will be held at Gethsemane Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wendell United Methodist Church, PO Box 1925, Wendell, NC 27591, The American Cancer Society, 8300 Healthpark #10, Raleigh, NC 27615 or Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.

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