By Karen Andrew
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Mr. Chambers

Retired businessman and active church member Charles Henry Chambers died Nov. 24 at Garden Park Health Care center in Avondale after a long illness.

The Avondale resident was 79.

Mr. Chambers was born in 1923 in Cincinnati to Aaron and Sadie Chambers. He attended Holy Trinity Grade School and Madonna High School in the West End. He played baseball and basketball and was a drum major in the school's marching band.

After school, he joined his father's business, Chambers and Sons Bail Bonds. He later became a partner in the business with his brother, William "Warren" Chambers, after their father died. He was also the first African-American insurance agent in Ohio for St. Martin DePorres Knights of Ohio.

In 1943, he married Corliss Harris of Cincinnati. They later divorced.

Mr. Chambers also was a member of the Federal Mortgage Financial Corp., an organization formed by African-American business leaders to help African Americans in Cincinnati obtain home financing.

"At that time, it wasn't the easiest thing to get funds for homes," said his son, Charles P. Chambers of North Avondale. "He was a pioneer in the business and financial world."

After retirement in the mid-1960s, Mr. Chambers volunteered as the business manager for St. Mark Catholic Church in Evanston. He also was instrumental in forming St. Mark's multiday spiritual retreat, "Christ Renews" and ran the church's bingo games.

"He loved his church," said Jeanette Murphy, a longtime friend. "He encouraged kids to go to school and helped a lot of people, but he did it quietly. He was a people person."

He was a member of the St. Martin DePorres Knights of Columbus, council 5624, and helped form the Ladies Auxiliary and the Squires and Squirettes.

Mr. Chambers received the 2002 Martin Luther King Jr. Award from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati for his service to the community, his son said.

Mr. Chambers enjoyed traveling and sports - "anything with a ball, tennis, golf, any ballgame," Ms. Murphy said.

Other survivors include two sisters, Charity Waller of Avondale and Mary Gilcrese of Los Angeles, and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, William and Aaron Chambers.

Services were held Friday.

Memorials can be made to St. Mark Catholic Church, 3500 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, 45207.