Ginger Chamblin

JACKSON, Miss. - Ginger Chamblin died on June 3, 2013, in the company of her family and under the care of Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland, Mississippi. She was a beloved artist and friend. Virginia Ginger Dorothy Hitchcock was born September 27, 1940, to John Phinizy Hitchcock and Virginia Fulcher Hitchcock. She grew up in Augusta, Georgia and graduated from Academy of Richmond County (ARC) in 1958. While in high school, she studied painting at the Gertrude Herbert Art Institute and became active in Young Life. Though she briefly attended Wheaton College, Augusta College, and the University of Georgia, she graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in occupational therapy in 1962. With occupational therapy, she found a profession that aligned with her interests, abilities, and values. While working with children and adults in the hospital setting, she found a growing interest in the way that art could help in the healing process. Her love of drawing and painting, then, became a lifelong pursuit. While living in Jackson, she joined the Gaddis Group, a collective of painters, and was an active member of the Jackson Watercolor Society. She also made works of calligraphy, including God's ABCs for Life, a print of twenty-six Biblical texts simplified for children. On September 10, 1965, she married Knox Chamblin, a Bible student who would later become Professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson. They were married for over forty-six years, and both were active and vital members of Trinity Presbyterian Church. Ginger was forthright about her struggles with bipolar disorder. She counseled that depression did not have to be a dead end street, and her transparency on this issue has helped many with similar struggles. Her love and compassion for people shined to the very end. She is survived by two daughters, Beverly Harmon and Claire Holley; two sons-in-law, Stuart Harmon and Chad Holley; five grandchildren, Avery Harmon, Brooke Harmon, Kelsey Harmon, Jack Holley, and Nate Holley; her sister and brother-in-law, Emily and Ron Higginbotham; her brother and sister-in-law, Phinny and Jan Hitchcock; and her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Bettye and Tom Walker. Ginger Chamblin's funeral is scheduled for Friday, June 7, 2013, at 2 p.m., at Trinity Presbyterian Church on 5301 Old Canton Road in Jackson. Visitation will be at the church Thursday, June 6, 2013 from 4-6 p.m., and Friday at 12:30 p.m. prior to the funeral. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Wright & Ferguson of downtown Jackson. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to NAIM (North American Indigenous Mission) and Fireside Ministries, both ministries which her siblings and their families have been associated with for many years. For donations to NAIM visit online www.naim.ca/ donate1.php?c=USA or mail to NAIM, P. O. Box 499, Sumas, WA 98295 (please insert project #563 on the memo line) For donations to Fireside Ministries visit www.firesideaugusta.org/ or mail to Fireside Ministries, P. O. Box 2525, Augusta, GA 30903