R. D. Chambless, 79, of Tifton passed away Wednesday, January 30, 2002, at his residence. His funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 2, 2002, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals with the Rev. Bill Barksdale and the Rev. Billy Sumner officiating. Mr. Chambless was laid to rest at Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Bobby Busbin, Wayman Hullett, Johnny Hullett, Bobby Chambless, Glynn Faulk, Ronnie Pattee and Larry Crowe served as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were Buddy Busbin, John Gibbs, Charles Garren, Jerry Wishum and William Bowen, Sr.
Born July 23, 1922, in Winfield, Alabama, Mr. Chambless was the son of the late Oscar Chambless and Essie Smith Chambless. He was also preceded in death by three brothers and one sister. Before retiring, he was a farmer for E. P. Bowen Farms; and he was a member of Tifton's First Freewill Baptist Church. He had lived in Tift County since 1953.
Mr. Chambless is survived by his wife, Clytee Tesney Chambless of Tifton; one son and daughter-in-law, Donald and Gail Chambless of Tifton; one daughter and son-in-law, Wanda and Ken Watson of Tifton; two brothers, George Chambless of Tifton and Carlton Chambless of Palatka, Florida; three sisters, Hattie McBrayer of Florida and Sarah Welch and Mary Sue Martin, both of Tifton; seven grandchildren and their spouses, Michelle and Bill Ryder, LaDon and Casey Chambless, Allen and Stephanie Peugh, Courtney and Allison Peugh, Tammy and Rolando Licea, Kim and Robbie Cross and Jessica Watson; and nine great-grandchildren.