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Obit: Rev. Leslie E. Chambers

by jmaloni

•Taken from the Aug. 22 Island Dispatch

Fri, Aug 22nd 2014 03:00 pm

Pastor Leslie E. Chambers of the Town of West Clarksville passed away Wednesday, July 30, 2014, at home after a brief battle with cancer.

Born Oct. 13, 1951, in Olean, he was a son of Ralph and Mary Russell Chambers. On Nov. 30, 1974, in Belmont, he married the former Rosemarie A. Mitchell, who survives.  

Les was a graduate of Grand Island High School, Class of 1969. He attended Cedarville University studying basic courses. He then enlisted in the United States Army, serving from Oct. 15, 1971, until being honorably discharged Jan. 28, 1975. He then went on to study at Spurgeon Baptist Bible College in Mulbury, Florida, graduating in 1979.

Returning to the area after graduating, he was ordained at the First Baptist Church in North Tonawanda on Oct. 8, 1980. In August of 1985 he moved to West Clarksville, at which time he became pastor of the West Clarksville Baptist Church where he was still serving.

Pastor Chambers will be remembered as being a compassionate pastor who was always attentive to the needs of his congregation and community members. He was a faithful servant of the Lord, providing a positive attitude, and refused to let his illness overshadow his love and faith.

For several years he was the chaplain of the Allegany County Sheriff's Department and was an official for track and cross country.

He loved his wife, children and adored his grandchildren. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed splitting wood.

Surviving in addition to his wife are his father and stepmother, Ralph (Greta) Chambers of Amherst; his children, Stacey (John) Fisher of Allegany, Paul Chambers of South Haven, Mississippi, Daniel (Danielle) Chambers of South Haven, Mississippi, David (Miranda) Chambers of Bolivar, John Chambers of New York City, and Philip Chambers of West Clarksville; his grandchildren, Bryttanie, Daeman, Elliott, Addison, Isaiah, Zion, Nevaeh, and Layla; his siblings Andy, Randy, Fran, Kathy, Jim, Glenda, Sarah, Ruth, Tim, and Liz; and several nieces and nephews.

The family received friends at the Mark F. Rinker Funeral Home & Memorial Service Inc., Cuba, Aug. 2 and 3. Funeral services were held Aug. 4, at the West Clarksville Baptist Church, Bolivar. Private family burial with full military honors was in West Clarksville Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the West Clarksville Baptist Church, 9003 Daggett Hollow Road, Bolivar, NY 14715.

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