Sarah Naomi Chambers began her journey in Manchester, Jamaica West Indies. She was 6th of 11 children born to Albert Simon and Mary Bell.
During her school years, Naomi (as she was often called) was an excellent student;especially in Mathematics and Penmanship. Mom wanted to be a nurse, but teaching(as a profession) was chosen by her parents for her. However,her heart was not in it. Later on, however, she began working as a clerk in a department store in Mandeville, Jamaica. There, she was smitten by a handsome young bachelor, Charles McDonald Chambers. During April 1941, they were united in marriage. Charles and Naomi were blessed with two children;Cynthia and Barrington(Teddy). During the early years of marriage, both Naomi and Charles found working opportunities to be erratic. An opportunity to do farm work in the United states became available and they made the difficult decision that Charles would leave the family in 1945 to earn enough money to support them. He worked on a tobacco farm in Connecticut for almost five years, faithfully sending home money to his beloved family.
Finally, in 1950 Charles returned to Jamaica and rejoined his family. By this time, Naomi and the children had moved to Kingston, where Naomi found work as a retail clerk in a clothing store. However, the jobs were still lacking, so they both decided to migrate to England a year apart. Dad first in 1950, followed by mom in 1951. The children were left in the care of the maternal grandmother, Mary Salmon. Within a short period of time the opportunity to migrate to the United States came about;so, once again Charles went first and was joined later by Naomi. The family became whole again in February 1953 when both Cynthia and Teddy left Jamaica to be reunited with their parents in the Bronx, New York.
Mom first worked in New York caring for the children of professionals. She knew, however, that this was just a means to an end for an ambitious young lady. Accordingly, Naomi studied to become a Nurses Aid and began working at Bellevue Hospital in Manhatan. The Nursing administrator noticed her potential and encouraged Naomi to pursue a career in nursing-her first love. Mom applied, was accepted and excelled graduating at the top of her Licensed Practical Nursing class. Because of this accomplishment, she was offered the opportunity to continue her studies to become a Registered Nurse. She considered it but decided her family needed her more at this time, so she declined the opportunity.
Mom then worked as a nurse;first at Bellevue Hospital and later with Jacobi Hospital(Bronx NY) until her retirement in 1979. During her career, she was affectionately regarded as "Nurse Sunshine".
Naomi and Charles retired and moved to Sunny Hills Florida in 1979 where they had built their "dream home". They jumped right into the swing of things, making many friends, supporting their church(St. Theresa) entertaining their grandchildren during the summers and joined a bowling club. In 1995, Charles went home to be with the Lord and Naomi was left alone. Though she wanted to live independently, she soon found that living alone was not for her, so Naomi moved from Sunny Hills three months later to live with her son and daughter-in-law(Marlene) in Apopka(near Orlando). In March 1998, Naomi moved back to the Bronx New York to live with Cynthia and her husband, Newville. When Cynthia and Newville retired in 2006, Naomi with them to Loxahatchee, Florida-near West Palm Beach.
Mom was devoted to her family and friends. However, her number one priority was devotion to God, her church and Blessed Virgin Mary. Mom was steeped in her Christian faith starting as a child. As a result she was a prayer warrior, never missing and opportunity to pray at any occasion. Mom new many scriptures and hymns by heart, even until her last breath. She was a gracious entertainer and was not above a little merriment.
Mom's earthly journey has ended. She has begun her new assignment after being welcomed into paradise by God the Father, Our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. She is heavily engaged in praise and worship in addition to chatting with Charles, relatives, friends, angels and other saints. What a party they are having!!
Sarah is survived by her sister Maudline and brother Lynford;daughter Cynthia and husband Newville;son Barrington and wife Merlene;grandchildren Newville II, Andrew Sr, Marc, Tanikia, Holly and Charlene;great grandchildren, Andrew Jr, Alex, Cassidy, Hailey, Nia, Bryce, Kylie, Soraya, and Lauren.
Mom, we will miss you in the natural. However, we know that spiritually you are still here with us. So, rest in peace mom, grandma, Nana, Aunt Naomi, cousin and friend;until we meet again on that day when there is no dawn and no morning.
Services will be held 10:00 A.M. Saturday, June 25, 2011 at St. Theresa Catholic Church with Msgr.Francis Szczykutowicz and Rev. Elifette St. Fort officiating. Brown Funeral in charge of arrangements.