If you think you heard the sweet chords of an old hymn drifting up into the blue sky along about sunset on Aug. 26, 2016, it was John Anderson Chamblin, Jr. as he entered eternal life on the wings of angels and, in his soft voice singing, “I Bowed On My Knees and Cried Holy.”
John’s loving partner, Janice Keeling, is certain she can hear him leading a heavenly choir, tuning a guitar and telling humorous stories. The songs he wrote will live forever and we’ll hear him sing them again one day.
John’s spirit is carried on by his four children: Jimmy (Jan) Chamblin, Debbie (Joe) Starling, Jerry Chamblin and Sandra (Dale) Kinard; the mother of his children, Mary Lily Chamblin; his grandchildren: Joshua, Jordan, Hannah, Lauri, Isaac, Lesley, Heather, Alex, Rebekah and Ryan; and great-grandchildren: Jesse, Lexi, Atlas and Nora.
John was predeceased by his parents, John Anderson and Erma Terry Chamblin; his first born son, John Anderson Chamblin, III; and brother, Carl Edwin Chamblin.
John left his old Gibson guitar sitting quietly in a corner, sending a message to his siblings Iris, Kay, Ron, Sue and Beth to sing and live with joy and happiness knowing that they would see him again one day.
John, age 83, was born in Gainesville, Fl., and after serving his country in the U.S. Navy, decided the green pastures of Madison County was where he wanted to live and raise his family. During the next 54 years, he founded Pinetta Cabinets and Realwood Inc., where he was a vital part of its operation, until he retired in 2012.
Memorial services will be held at Beggs Funeral Home, 235 NW Orange St., Madison, on Saturday, Sept. 10, at 11 a.m., followed by a time of fellowship at the Hanson United Methodist Church, 290 NE Daisy Street, Madison, Florida 32340.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the North Florida Community College Foundation. Memo: John Anderson Chamblin, Jr. Scholarship. Mail to: North Florida Community College Foundation, 325 NW Turner Davis Dr., Madison, Fl., 32340
Beggs Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements (850) 973-2258. You may send your condolences by visiting the website at www.beggsfuneral.com.