Newbern Albert Chambers

Newbern Albert Chambers of North Little Rock, aged 96, died on February 10, 2017 after a brief battle with small cell lung cancer. Newbern was born in 1920 to Charles and Mary Alice Chambers of McRae, Arkansas. Newbern was predeceased by his wife, Jean Hurley Chambers; his parents; two sisters: Virginia Delbert and Mae Alice Chambers; his brother, Charles Delbert "Bubby" Chambers; a half-brother, Gaither Cornelius Johnston; and a nephew, Gaither C. Johnston Jr. Newbern is survived by his daughters: Mary Alice Chambers and Cindy Ann Chambers (Sandy Hansel), all of North Little Rock, as well as his dear friend, Mary Turrentine of Jacksonville. Newbern is also survived by his niece and nephew, Charles Delbert Chambers Jr. of Arlington, Texas, (Delores) and Kathleen Chambers Walker (Steve) of Benton, Kentucky, as well as a great-niece, two great-nephews, two great-grandnieces, and a host of extended family members. Newbern graduated McRae High School in 1939, worked in Little Rock 1939 to 1941, then worked as a transit clerk for the Caddo River Lumber Company near Waldron in 1941. After Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the US Navy, training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station with the five Sullivan Brothers from Waterloo, Iowa. After a few weeks duty in Detroit, Michigan, Newbern arrived in Honolulu in late May 1942 and met up with his brother, Charles, who had survived both Pearl Harbor and the Coral Sea Battle. A week later both Newbern and Charles were on the USS Astoria during the Midway battle; Newbern witnessed the battle from the bridge of the USS Astoria. After Midway, Newbern was transferred to the Port Director's office in the Aloha Tower where he prepared frag orders for the merchant marine until 1945. In 1945 Newbern returned to Arkansas and attended the University of Arkansas and Arkansas A and M (UA Monticello), then attended law school in Little Rock. In January 1950, Newbern married Miss Jean Hurley of Newport, Arkansas and the couple later moved to North Little Rock. Jean died in 2001. Newbern worked for Light Adjustment Company of Little Rock for 18 years. In 1968 he was appointed an ALJ with the Arkansas Worker's Compensation Commission and was later appointed an ALJ with the Office of Social Security Hearings and Appeals in 1980. He retired in 1990. Newbern will be remembered most for his great storytelling. Also, he loved boating, fishing, and camping on the White and Little Red rivers and was a big fan of St. Louis Cardinals baseball and Arkansas Razorback football. He was an avid follower of local and national politics. He loved working in his yard. Newbern will be missed by his family and his cairn terrier, Margie, as well as his grand cat and grand dogs. Special thanks to caregiver, Donna Brazeale with Seniors Serving Seniors for the excellent care she gave Newbern in his final weeks. Thank you also to Kay and Rose and all of Arkansas Hospice for their loving care. Visitation will be at his residence in NLR on Friday, February 17, 2017 from 5 to 10 p.m. A memorial graveside service will be held at Lebanon Cemetery near McRae (GPS: Lebanon Church, McRae, Ark. 72102) at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 18, 2017. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the NLR Friends of the Animals. Cremation Arrangements by Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home. www.SmithFamilyCares.com.