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Virginia Marie Chambers
Virginia Marie Chambers, 90, of Fort Scott, and formerly of Hiattville, Kan., passed away Thursday evening, Dec. 28, 2017 at the Country Place Memory Care in Fort Scott. She was born July 31, 1927, in Girard, Kan., the daughter of Don and Imo Irene (Rogers) Salmon. She married John Joseph “Joe” Chambers May 28, 1950, in Hiattville, Kan., and he preceded her in death June 24, 1995.
Virginia graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1944 and during her time there was able to take courses from Fort Scott Junior College, graduating with 16 college credit hours. She continued her education in the summers and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Pittsburg State University in 1957. In 1963, she received her Master’s degree in School Administration from PSU.
Virginia taught in rural schools including Hepler Elementary in Crawford County and in the USD 234 and USD 235 schools for 39 years, the last 18 as a Title I Reading Teacher at West Bourbon Elementary. She retired in 1985. She also worked for the Economy Book Company training teachers to teach the phonics method of reading.
Virginia was a member of the Hiattville United Methodist Church where she served as pianist and organist for over 60 years. She was instrumental in writing and directing the annual Christmas Program, and she also served as Choir Director, Sunday School Teacher, and helped with Vacation Bible School. After moving to LaCygne, she transferred membership to the LaCygne United Methodist Church and remained an Associate Member of Hiattville United Methodist. She was a Lifetime Member of the Ideal Chapter #369 Order of Eastern Star which merged with Olive Chapter, the Kansas State Teacher’s Association, and the Bourbon County Retired Teachers Association. She received the Kansas East Conference Denman Award for Evangelism.
Survivors include close friend and heart-adopted daughter Regina Woodworth and husband Tom, of Iola, Kan.; brother Harold Salmon and wife Segrid of Placerville, Calif.; sisters-in-law Juanita Long and Shirley Chambers, both of LaCygne, Kan.; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband Joe, Virginia was also preceded in death by her parents.
Rev. January Kiefer will conduct funeral services 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, with burial following at the Fort Scott National Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening, Jan. 2, 2018, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fort Scott Community College endowed scholarship, Hiattville United Methodist, or LaCygne United Methodist, and left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, PO Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.