Mary Joan Chambers
December 18, 1930 - September 22, 2020

Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home 943 Highway 425 North Monticello, AR 71655 Map & Directions Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home 943 Highway 425 North Monticello ,  AR 71657 9/26/2020 9:00 to 10:00 am Map & Directions Funeral Service Stephenson-Dearman Chapel 943 Hwy 425 N. Monticello ,  AR 71655 9/26/2020 10:00 AM Map & Directions

Mary Joan Chambers passed away on September 22, 2020, at her home in Cypress, Texas. She was 89 years old and was surrounded by her family.

Joan was born in Donaldsonville, Louisiana on December 18, 1930, to the late Joseph Nicholas “Nickey”, Sr and Alice Leboeuf Ourso and was the oldest of 6.

Joan grew up and attended Catholic school in Plaquemine, LA, and later moved to Baton Rouge where she worked for the state capitol. During her spare time, she enjoyed dancing, sewing, cooking, and caring for her family. Joan never met a stranger and her top priority was to make sure everyone felt welcome in her home and to never leave with an empty stomach.

Joan met the love of her life, Harry L. Chambers, Sr., on a blind date and they married in Plaquemine, LA on June 23, 1956. She was the matriarch of the family and the glue behind the immense success of her husband, his career, and many other endeavors.

Joan is survived by her four children and their families; Beth and Flay Armstrong, Harry and Tammy Chambers, Brenda and Mark Carter, and Rene and Ray Rosenstrauch; 10 grandchildren, Allison and husband Garret, Ken, Chase, Carson and wife Meghan, Cole, Alan, Jonathan, Mary, Kayla and Nicole; 2 great-grandchildren, Addison and Sydney; 3 siblings, Nickey Ourso, Dora Swords, LeBoeuf Ourso, and many other loving nieces and nephews and relatives. She is preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, her parents, and sisters Mary Alice and Joy.

Anyone who knew Joan knew she ended most sentences with the word “there” and it was said with an enunciated Cajun accent. It was her way of saying that was her final word and the task is complete. She is looking down on us now with both hands lifted saying -“there”- all is well, my job is complete.

A celebration of her life will be at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home, 943 Highway 425 North, Monticello, AR 71657 on Saturday, September 26, 2020. There will be a visitation from 9:00-10:00 am with the service beginning at 10:00 am. The burial will follow immediately after the service at Rock Springs cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be her grandsons.

A mass honoring Joan will be held on the one year anniversary of her passing at St. John Catholic Church in Plaquemine, LA where she was married and attended many services. She cherished this church and was the topic of many of her conversations.