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Betty Chambers Pushed Fitness In Plant City

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By GEORGE H. NEWMAN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 23, 2008

PLANT CITY - Betty Chambers, an iconic symbol and community leader, died Sunday at her home after a three-month battle with lung cancer. She was 86.

"Mother was always there for us," daughter Pec McGinnes said. "She was a giver, to family and friends alike. She never stopped."

Chambers was a sports and fitness enthusiast who was instrumental in establishing a YMCA in Plant City. The energetic community leader also was a director emeritus of the Florida Strawberry Festival and initiated the organization's information booth program.

Chambers was a member of First Baptist Church of Plant City and was co-chairwoman of its building committee, as well as director of outreach.

"She was very straightforward, outspoken and a health fanatic," said First Baptist's pastor, the Rev. Ron Churchill. "If she ever invited you to go for a walk and you weren't in shape, it could be the biggest mistake of your life. She could walk three miles in a matter of minutes."

Daughter Sherrie Mueller recalled that her mother was once so athletic that she and her sister would beg Chambers not to beat their dates if she played them in basketball or another sport.

"She was a real jock. She could do anything," Mueller said.

She was active with the Plant City Woman's Club and was Plant City's Citizen of the Year in 2001. She was grand marshal of the Plant City Christmas parade for her contributions to area youths.

Chambers occasionally taught physical education at Plant City High. Her husband, Frank Chambers Jr., a prominent local physician, died in 1987 after 43 years of marriage.

"When we learned her illness was to be fatal, she helped us plan the funeral," McGinnes said. "She was loving and caring to the end."

A memorial service is scheduled 11 a.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church of Plant City, 503 N. Palmer St. Before the service, visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m.

"I saw Betty almost once each week when she became ill," Churchill said. "The last time I saw her was on Friday. She said 'I'll see you,' and gave me a wink. I think she knew she was going. She had great command of her emotions and her life."

Elizabeth "Betty" Bateman Chambers

BORN: Feb. 2, 1922, in Byron, Ga.

DIED: July 20, 2008, in Plant City

SURVIVORS: A son, Stephen Chambers of Tampa; daughters Pec McGinnes and Sherrie Mueller, both of Plant City; a brother, Harris Bateman of Byron, Ga.; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

SERVICES: 11 a.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church of Plant City. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m.

MEMORIALS: Contributions may be made in her name to these charities: Betty Chambers Scholarship Fund c/o Sunshine State Federal Savings and Loan, 102 W. Baker St., Plant City FL 33563; First Baptist Church of Plant City: 503 N. Palmer St., Plant City FL 33563; Plant City Family YMCA, 1507 YMCA Place, Plant City FL 33563.

Reporter Dave Nicholson contributed to this report. Reporter George H. Newman can be reached at (813) 851-4451 or gnewman@tampatrib.com.

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