Merle (Ovida) Chambers

Chambers Merle L. Chambers (Oveida Morris) was born on April 9, 1937, in Beckley, West Virginia. In 1978 she relocated to Reno, Nevada and later to Sacramento, California where she passed away on Sunday, April 16, 2023 (12:57 a.m.) at the age of 85.

Merle graduated from Stratton High School in Beckley, West Virginia. Following high school, she continued her education at West Virginia State College where she earned her Bachelor degree in Physical Education and later obtained a Master of Public Administration from West Virginia Graduate College. In addition, she was a proud member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. As a member, she cultivated and encouraged high scholastic achievement and promoted unity and friendship among all women.

After completing her educational journey, Merle began her career in community and program development where she served in numerous impactful capacities such as serving as an appointed member on the City of Reno Mayor's Council. Prior to the COVID 19 pandemic, Merle was still very active and refused to retire from her second career where she served as a substitute teacher for more than 20 years. She enjoyed learning from her Gen Z students and would always remark on how they kept her young, energized and consistently learning.

In 1983, Merle married her partner in crime and best friend, Ernest (Rick) Chambers. Merle and Rick shared 40 years of marriage.

Merle was a beautiful person, both internally and externally. She possessed a charming smile, a pleasant personality, and great fashion sense. Merle loved to dress! Wherever she went she always made a fashion statement. She loved to shop, cook, read, tend to her flower garden, and watch television game shows. Merle enjoyed tennis but would state "I Love anything with a ball in it", meaning she loved all sports. In fact, one of her favorite pastimes was playing tennis with her daughter, Charlene.

Merle had a heart of gold and expressed her love to everyone she knew through her creative cards. Her positive spirit, no-nonsense attitude, realistic outlook, and outspoken personality enamored her to countless souls and as a result she was considered by many to be a second mom, mentor, and friend. Merle is preceded in death by her parents, Irvin L Wright Jr. & Martha Cooper-Wright; her brother, Irvin L. Wright III, and her daughter, Charlene Leasure. Merle is survived by her loving husband, Ernest (Rick) Chambers. She is survived by her son, Charlton Leasure (Sheila), step-sons, Ernest (Rick) Chambers, Joseph Chambers (Gwendalyn), and her grandchildren Jason, Devante, Alethia, Jabrea, Ronald, and Kolbi. She also leaves behind two sisters in-law, Great-grand children and a host of nieces, nephews, and life-long friends.