Reverend James Wellington Chambly, Jr.
12/07/1944 - 03/22/2007
The Reverend Jim Chambly Jr., 62, passed away suddenly on March 22, 2007, at his residence in Essex, Md.
A eulogy written by
Mary Ann Chambly in memory of her loving husband, Jim
James Wellington Chambly Jr. was born on December 7, 1944 in Baltimore to Grace and Jim Chambly – an only child. He was raised in the Community of Violetville, and was very active in Sunday School, Scouts, and baseball. He decided early – around twelve years of age – to become a minister.
Jim attended Poly High School, Towson College, and Wesley Seminary. He was ordained as a full elder in the Methodist Church in 1967. His first church was Providence in Towson as a student pastor. After ordination he was appointed to Back River in Essex and later Good Shepherd in South Baltimore.
Jim was set up on a blind date with Mary Ann one New Year’s Eve and one and a half years later in 1975 he married her and her five children. They moved to Graceland Park (not Elvis’ but the one in Dundalk) for five years.
The family took the show on the road to Asbury in Charles Town, WV for the next twenty years. The thirteen room parsonage was ideal for the family.
In the year 2000, with all of the children married and on their own, Jim and Mary Ann were sent to Essex UMC where they had been married exactly twenty-five years before.
Throughout his ministry, Jim’s vision was to keep the Church relevant to the present time and emerging generations. He believed in being a vital part of the community in which he was living and participating in local clubs and activities.
Just some of Jim’s community involvement :
· Coached soccer, basketball, and softball in Dundalk and Charles Town
· Volunteer Fire Department while in Providence
· Chaplain for Police Force in Charles Town
· President of Recreation Council in Dundalk
· Kiwanis Club of Charles Town
· Jefferson County Community Ministers for 18 years in Charles Town
Jim loved his God, he loved his church, he loved his family, he loved his friends, he loved all people.
Amen.