Ava Chambers Obituary (1929 - 2015) - Bedford, TX - Star-Telegram

Ava Nell Donoho Chambers

1929 - 2015

Ava Nell Donoho Chambers, 86, passed away Tuesday, July 28, 2015. Funeral: 9:30 a.m. Saturday in Mount Olivet Chapel. Interment: private. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Mount Olivet. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, please donate to Fort Worth Symphony, Fort Worth Altrusa's high school scholarship program or a charity of choice. Ava was born Feb. 18, 1929, in Fort Worth to the late H.T. and Vera Donoho. She graduated from Diamond Hill High School as salutatorian of her class. Ava received her bachelor's and master's degrees from North Texas State (University of North Texas). She was an accomplished pianist. Ava was a member of many organizations, including Sigma Alpha Iota, Beta Sigma Phi, Altrusa International, Symphony League of Fort Worth, Woman's Club of Fort Worth and various educational organizations. She was a member of Faith United Methodist Church in Fort Worth. Ava was a longtime educator with the Fort Worth ISD. She began her career as a music teacher in 1949. Her last assignment was principal of Bruce Shulkey Elementary. Among the many awards she received were the Fort Worth Elementary Principal of the Year and the A.L.I.C.E. award from the Fort Worth Symphony League. Ava's life was dedicated to helping children learn and helping all to appreciate music. She co-authored two books on hosting parties and held a Library of Congress number. Ava was greatly loved by many and will be missed by all. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas A. Chambers. Survivors: Daughter, Melissa Caraway and husband, Randy; sons, John Hudgins, Tom Chambers and wife, Sondra, and Ben Chambers and wife, Sue Hayes; grandchildren, Martha Caraway, Katie Caraway Prather and husband, Steven, Jason Chambers and wife, Tara, Eric Chambers and Christi Chambers Ward and husband, Robert; and great-grandchildren, Jacob and Nathan Chambers.

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Published in Star-Telegram from Jul. 30 to Jul. 31, 2015.

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14 entries

July 26, 2019

I totally agree with Betty Rowland. This wonderful woman changed my life and I owe her so very much, instilling in me courage and confidence, even convincing me I could sing the lead in a play -- and I KNOW I was terrible! We remained friends long into my adulthood. She is always a part of me and always will be. Thank you Ava Nell!

Beth Phillips Engelhardt

July 25, 2019

I continue to have such fond memories of Ava Nell and miss her still. It warmed my heart to see her picture. She was one of a kind and her impact on me out lives her.

Betty Rowland

Coworker

July 11, 2016

I was thinking of Mrs Chambers today, so I did an internet search and have found she passed away last year. I was a student at Bruce Shulkey when she became principal. It is a testament to her that after all these years (I'm 41 yo now) I still think of her, and so fondly. She was truly a great principal, grateful for people like her.

Melissa Stewart (York)

August 29, 2015

I knew Ava Nell thru SAI, honorary music fraternity. She was a doll to work with on committees. Very knowledgeable of music and composers and taught me a lot. The thing I enjoyed the most about her was her sense of humor and positive energy. She was a joy to many and will be missed.

Mary Pastusek

August 25, 2015

I just read of Mrs. Chambers' death. I wasmone of a handful of student teachers who were blessed enough to have Mrs. Chambers as a mentor teacher.

Her love of teaching and all that it could be was clearly evident in all her words and actions. She treated each of us with dignity, respect, and love. At the end of the student teaching program she gave us each a wooden pointer with an apple at one end...I had her date and sign mine. It is in a prominent place in my classroom.

The heavens have truly welcomed a new angel...

August 2, 2015

What a wonderful woman! The world has really lost someone special. Ava Nell was the best teacher there ever was and instilled in me a confidence that lasted 50 years and more. I hope she knew how much I loved her.

Beth Phillips Engelhardt

August 2, 2015

Ava Nell had an energy. You felt it in her presence. For six years Bruce Shulkey Elementary thrived because of her positive force. You actually could feel her energy throughout the building. At the school today, a larger-than-life portrait of Ava Nell hangs in the main hall.

When I saw the high school yearbook picture of Ava Nell that Betty McEntire posted, amazingly, I could "see" Ava Nell's energy in that photo!

Ava Nell definitely is one of the best gifts God has given to me. Her life touched and guided hundreds, probably thousands. I miss her caring and vibrance, but the memories will continue to inspire me.

God's peace and blessings to you Melissa, Martha, Katie, and Randy.

Septima Green

August 1, 2015

My thoughts and prayers are with you at the loss of Ava Nell. She was a delightful friend and colleage. Among the many other ways she added to joy in the world she was an outstanding volunteer at the Senior Citizens Fair. She visited with the vendors as they waited their turn to check in their homemade items and kept their spirits high. I treasure the times I spent with Ava Nell over the years.

Betty Rowland

July 31, 2015

1945 Diamond Hill yearbook

Ava Nell was a friend of the McEntire family and a classmate of my mother Janice, and cousins June and Frances McEntire at Diamond Hill High School. My fondest memory of Ava Nell is as my first piano teacher in the mid 1940s. I would walk to her house on Grover Street and she taught me songs that I would play at church. A kind and gentle lady and a wonderful teacher, she will be missed. My condolences to her family.
Betty Jones McEntire

Betty McEntire

July 30, 2015

I had the good fortune to work under Ms. Chambers' leadership at Bruce Shulkey. She worked harder than any principal I've known and treated her teachers, students, and parents with such kindness and respect. My condolences to her family on the loss of this dear woman.

Galen Gregory

July 30, 2015

Family will be lifted in prayer for this sweet lady. She was a wonderful teacher and will always be remembered.

Linda McLaughlin-Binger

July 30, 2015

My condolences on your loss. I had the honor of working with your mother at Bruce Shulkey Elementary.

Carol Henderson

July 30, 2015

Melissa,
You and your sweet mother were so kind to me when my family and I moved to Oakhurst. I have thought of you both many times through the years. Some great memories. You and your family are in my prayers.

Angela Coats David

July 30, 2015

Just the name, Ava Nell Chambers, brings a smile to my face. I met her in the fall of 1963 when we both were teaching at Oakhurst Elementary, Fort Worth. She was the music teacher and I was one of two 4th grade teachers. I taught both of her children, Melissa and John Hudgins. Those were wonderful years We become friends who truly enjoyed sharing times together. What I will miss most and will always remember is her love of life and her love for children. My sincere condolences to Melissa and John and all the Chambers family. Margie (Ferguson) Bryant....Arlington,Texas

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