Donald Vance Chamblee

Dr. Donald Vance Chamblee passed away in Hospice on December 15, 2025. He was born

June 15, 1931 in High Point, NC, to Russell Webb Chamblee and Hazel Dickerson Chamblee.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Barbara Pickett Chamblee, to whom he was

married for 64 years.

He was also preceded in death by his precious son, Donald Vance Chamblee, Jr., one month

ago, November 13, 2025.

Don graduated from High Point Central High School and matriculated to UNC-CH in 1952. He

went on to train at University of Tennessee at Memphis to receive his medical degree.

He married Barbara on June 23,1956. After completing his internship and residency at George

Washington University Hospital, and San Antonio, Texas he was commissioned as Captain in

the US Army and was deployed to Frankfurt, Germany. He and Barbara both agreed that being

able to travel through out Europe together during those three years, was one of the happiest

times of their lives.

Upon returning to the US, he began his 40 year career in Broadway, NC, as a General

Practitioner, following his dream to be a "country doctor."

In 1964 Don moved the family to Charlotte, NC where he joined into private practice with Dr.

Thomas Dulin. Later, he founded and built his own clinic, Cotswold Family Practice. He was

beloved by his patients. His ability to listen to his patients and to ask the right questions,

established his renowned reputation as an excellent diagnostician.

He was a long time member and elder at Covenant Presbyterian Church. He loved the church

and was a devoted Christian, even attending the bible study group at Sharon Towers until the

last few months of his life.

He had a vibrant and loving personality. Don never met a stranger and he cataloged every

personal encounter into his memory. His remarkable ability to recall and recant stories of people

and relationships never diminished up to his last breath. His bright and powerful presence will

be carried forward in the hearts of all that love him.

He spent many happy hours at his beach home at North Litchfield SC, built from the ground up

by his son, Don, Jr. He loved sharing the space with his whole family. In his senior years he

especially enjoyed his vegetable garden, golfing with his friends, and spending time with his

children and grandchildren.

Don is survived by his three cherished daughters: Karen Altenpohl (Bill), Diane Gohsman, and

Laura Chamblee (Tom Kalnick), a loving sister, Annette Cowan (Robert) and Daughter in law

Dawn McGary Chamblee, also nine precious grandchildren that adored and

admired him: Mary Beth Bardin, Hannah Marie Bardin, Frank

Belton Joyner, IV, Vance Forsyth Joyner, Grady Liam Joyner, Russell Vance Chamblee, Jade

Catherine Chamblee, Norah Dawn Chamblee, and Stella Patrice Chamblee, also two special

nieces, Anita Velis Spence and Virginia Velis.

A reception will follow the service with a light lunch, All are invited.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Don's favorite charity: St Jude's Hospital,

https://www.stjude.org