Chambers, Anna Marie (1955-1962)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1962 Dec 6 p. 8

Birth date: 1955 Nov 11

text of obituary:

ANNA MARIE CHAMBERS

Anna Marie Chambers was born Nov. 11, 1955 in Chicago, Ill. At the age of five years she started attending the Lincoln Avenue Gospel Mission Sunday school (Mennonite Brethren). It was there she heard and learned of Jesus as the Saviour of the world.

During June, 1962 while playing, she fell and hurt her left knee. She was taken to the hospital the same day and there it was discovered that she had cancer. Since it was the fast-growing cancer, the specialist advised amputation immediately. In a few weeks Anna Marie was home and back in Sunday school in her wheelchair, all smiles as usual, but now she brought her mother and father with her.

A few weeks later Anna Marie found herself back in the hospital, paralyzed from the hips down, and in great pain. Everything possible was done to make things comfortable and pleasant. The past three Sundays the Sunday school made short tape recordings, which were played for her on Mondays. Even though in great pain, she sand along with the children, making the motions with them. She always requested another recording on the Sunday.

As pastor, on my last visit to the hospital, I was very happy to hear from the lips of one of the nurses, “There is no question in my mind, Jesus lives in Anna Marie’s heart.”

She passed away very quietly on Nov. 17 at the age of seven years and six days. She leaves to mourn her early death, her mother, step-father and one brother two weeks old. Her favorite song was, “Jesus Loves Me, This I Know.”

The funeral was in the Lincoln Avenue Gospel Mission on Nov. 21, with a very good attendance. This girl left a testimony that is praise-worthy. — J. S. Mendel, pastor.