Flora Chambliss

CAIRO, Ill. -- Flora M. Chambliss, 83, of Cairo died Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009, at Landmark Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

She was born March 4, 1926, in Rick Square, N.C., daughter of Lazarus Pope and Ada Reba Smallwood Tann. She married Dr. Homer H. Chambliss, who preceded her in death.

Chambliss received a degree in pharmacy from Howard University. She was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church and Altar Guild, and Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, serving as the basileus of the local chapter. She was active in many community events.

Survivors include nine children, Alan (Kelly) Chambliss of Carbondale, Ill., Dr. Michael Chambliss of Fresno, Calif., Dr. Karen Chambliss of Shelbyville, Del., Kathryn Chambliss of Carbondale, Dr. Patricia Chambliss of Columbia, Md., Pamela Chambliss of Cape Girardeau, Michele Pierce of San Francisco, Anthony Chambliss of Cairo, and David (Jennifer) Chambliss of Pittsburgh.

Also a sister, Genora Bishop of Durham, N.C.; a sister-in-law, Geraldine Trammell of Chicago; five grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two brothers, Louis and L.P. Tann; five sisters, Thelma Taylor, Medessa Moore, Mamie Wright, Maxine Riley and Dorothy Tann.

Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. today at St. Patrick's Catholic Church. The rosary will be recited at 7:30.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Jerome Fortenberry and the Rev. John Agbasiera as celebrants. Burial will be in Green Lawn Memorial Gardens at Villa Ridge, Ill.

Barkett Funeral Home in Cairo is in charge of arrangements.