In Loving Memory
Dora Lee Chambers

Dora Lee Chambers- more affectionately known to her grandchildren as “Nana”- was born in Panama City, Florida on October 17, 1929. She was the second of six children born to Jacoby, Sr. & Marie Jackson-Dickens. When she was 16 years of age, Dora moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where she would spend the next 79 years of her life. Dora attended John Hay High School in the Cleveland Municipal School District, and though she didn’t finish school, she saw the importance of having an education and obtained her general education degree. This allowed her to acquire secular work as a Dietary Aide at Hillcrest Hospital, which she did for many years. On the job, she was known for always being a half-hour early for her shift! You could set your clock by Dora’s arrival!

In 1952, Dora was joined together in marriage to Sidney Chambers, Jr. They had five children: Paulette, Beatrice, Sidney Anthony (better known as Tony), Harriet & Marie. Tony preceded Dora in death. To know her children is to have known Dora. Perhaps you heard her say at some point: “Don’t get old…you’re not going to like it”! Dora was always a very active person, which is a trait that is seen in all of the women in her family.

From Dora’s very active lifestyle sprung a number of skills and hobbies that she developed over the years. She was a very creative seamstress and tailor and truly enjoyed fashion, which meant that her daughters’ clothing and appearance would always be up to par. Dora was also into arts & crafts; particularly making seashell mirrors. And she also happened to have been a highly skilled caterer, decorator and baker. If any of us had Dora’s peach cobbler…then you know exactly what we’re talking about! All told, Dora truly had an entrepreneurial spirit. But we definitely cannot forget her greatest pastime: Playing cards! If you ever wondered why Dora’s house always stayed clean, then you only need to think of the punishment that was administered after she mercilessly beat you in a game of bid whist! Put simply: Dora REALLY LOVED to play cards! And it was a joy for her to spend many Friday nights having fun with her family and friends (especially when she was winning!).

But more than anything else that brought fulfillment to Dora’s life was her relationship with Jehovah God. Her study of God’s Word, the Bible, led her to dedicating her life to serving Jehovah forever and symbolizing it by water baptism on February 6, 1954. Serving Jehovah was very important to Dora, and it was even more important to her that her family and those whom she knew would feel the same way. The majority of her 71 years of dedicated service was spent in the Collinwood (formerly Windemere) Congregation. Dora introduced her best friend Nelly Williams and her husband to the truth, which ultimately produced in their family many who serve as congregation elders and regular pioneers. Dora will always be remembered as a pillar in the congregation and would often be interviewed at congregation meetings; sharing many experiences of her time in the truth. And you guessed it…she always arrived early for the congregation meetings! Though she only lived three minutes from the Kingdom Hall, Dora was regularly 30 minutes early or more to the meetings. In fact, she was so early that the brothers considered giving her a key to get in the Kingdom Hall! Dora was humble; always willing to learn from others. She also was a good listener; which put her in a position to give good advice.

Dora fell asleep in death on July 31, 2025. She was “95 years strong,” and just two and a half months shy of turning 96! She was preceded in death by her brother, Jacoby Dickens, Jr. and her sister Estella Johnson. Dora leaves to cherish her memory and legacy: Her daughters Paulette Guice (husband, O.D.), Beatrice Archie, Harriet Kimbrough and Marie Chambers-Utsey (husband, Dennis); her sisters Colleen Richardson, Ernestine Wilson & Bernice Hopkins; her 13 grandchildren, her 17 great-grandchildren, her four great-great-grandchildren, her many nieces and nephews, and her worldwide family of brothers & sisters in the faith.

We eagerly await Dora’s resurrection in the new world that is soon to come!

Humbly Submitted, The Chambers Family