COLUMBUS
Jacqueline Chambers passed away on February 9, 2026 at age 89. Jacque was born on November 26, 1936 to Paul and Frances “Pat” Smith in Bedford, Indiana and later moved to Columbus, Indiana. After graduating from Purdue University in 1959, Jacque returned to Columbus.
One day William Chambers was eating lunch at Columbus Bar with a colleague, saw Jacque for the first time, and his colleague offered to introduce them. The rest, as they say, was history. Bill and Jacque were married on June 6, 1965. The happy couple lived in Nashville, Indiana for a year while Jacque completed her Masters in Education and Bill completed law school.
After their graduations from Indiana University in 1966, they built a beautiful life in rural Columbus surrounded by nature. Following Jacque’s time teaching at Kent School, she continued to dedicate her life to caring for others, not only as a loving wife and devoted mother to their two children, Chris Chambers and Sylvia Chambers, but also to the numerous furkids that joined the family over the years.
Jacque cared deeply for her community. As one of the founders of Mudlarks Garden Club, she inspired generations to take interest in gardening and in the environment. She passionately supported the arts, culture, and progressive causes in Columbus and beyond.
Jacque treated all the lives she touched, whether human, animal, or plant, with the same love and respect as she did with the family she built and nurtured with Bill.
Jacque is survived by her husband, William Chambers; her daughter, Sylvia “Sibby” Chambers; her nephews and nieces, Kip (Aleta) Kiel, Pat (Becky) Kiel, Jenny (Scott) Hollinger, Jeanna (Mike) Pernak, Joni (Brian) Archer, Julie Woods; her many great nieces and nephews; her furkids, Maizie, Tom, and Jerry; and her many friends. Jacque is predeceased by her parents; her son, Chris Chambers; her sister, Sylvia Kiel; her brother, Dave Smith; her nephew, Blair Kiel; and many furkids.
A gathering of family and friends will be held from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Sunday, March 1st at Barkes, Weaver &Glick Funeral Home on Washington St.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be given to the Heritage Fund.
Arrangements by Barkes, Weaver &Glick Funeral Home.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the Chambers family and a video tribute may be viewed at barkesweaverglick.com.
