Betty Lou (Gilleland) Chamberlain
Betty Lou (Gilleland) Chamberlain, 92, passed away on March 17, 2018.
A former resident of Fernandina Beach, FL, she had been living in Cleveland, Tn., since the summer of 2017. Born Nov. 3, 1925, in Long Island, NC, to Sarah Jane (Frye) and Percy Clark Gilleland, she was the youngest of 10 children.
Betty was married for 63 years to Rev. James Hollis Chamberlain. They were married April 8, 1943, in Iredell County, N.C. Her husband preceded her in death in 2006. Also preceding her in death are her parents and nine siblings; in-laws, A. D. and Liddy Chamberlain; grandson, Matthew Harris; and son-in-law, Ken Muncy.
Betty served alongside her husband for 27 years of ministry in the Church of God, pastoring in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Florida. As the “Pastor’s Wife”, she held many positions in their churches: teacher in Sunday School, Children’s Ministry, Ladies’ Ministry, director of Christmas pageants, Bible Study teacher [teaching her last Bible Study at age 91], along with any other area that needed to be filled. She always had a servant’s heart; loving and caring for their local congregants. She was loved by young and old alike. Betty had a forgiving heart and her highest goal was to be pleasing to her God.
Survivors include her children: Kay (Gene) Baber of Orange Park, FL; Susan Muncy of Liberty Twp., OH; Dr. Jim (Anita) Chamberlain of Yulee, FL; and Cindy (Rev. Cy) Harris of Cleveland, TN; grandchildren: James and David Baber; Cristen & Craig (Elisa) Chamberlain; Mitchell (Mandi) Harris, Sarah (Garren) McCloud and Kayla Harris; great-grandchildren: Ghabriel and Briaunna Baber; Chase, Landon, and Cooper Chamberlain and Rylan Ava Harris; brother-in-law, Arnold (Jean) Chamberlain and sister-in-law, Phyllis Miller.
A celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, March 25, at Hiers Funeral Home in Ocala, Fl., at 4 p.m. The family will receive friends from 3-4 p.m at Hiers Funeral Home before the service on Sunday. For the Cleveland friends and family, there will be visitation on Tuesday, March 20, from 5-7 p.m. at the Jim Rush Funeral and Cremation Services North Ocoee Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CW Vision, P.O. Box 16732, Fernandina Beach, FL 32035.
Graveside services and Interment will be held on Monday, March 26, at the Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Fl.
Share your condolences and your memories with the Chamberlain family at info@hiers-baxley.net <mailto:info@hiers-baxley.net>. Hiers is located at 910 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL 34470, telephone (352) 414-4206. The Jim Rush Funeral and Cremation Services North Ocoee Chapel has charge of the local arrangements. You may also share your condolences and memories with the family at www.jimrushfuneralhomes.com.