Myrtle Ruby Chambers

ELOY - Myrtle Ruby Chambers, 97, a longtime Eloy businesswoman, died on June 8, 2017, at Mountain View Care Center in Tucson.

Mrs. Chambers was born in Bergman, Boone County, Arkansas, on June 2, 1920, to Lottie A. Young and James H. Williams. She moved to Eloy in 1938 from Arkansas and married Horace G. Chambers on Dec. 2, 1939, at the Pinal County Courthouse in Florence. After her marriage they operated a self-help laundry from 1941 to 1945. In 1946 they opened Chambers Department Store, which was a fixture on Main Street until it closed in 2003. She was an active member and officer in numerous organizations including the Veterans of Foreign Wars Women’s Auxiliary, the Eloy Firemen’s Auxiliary, the Eloy Chamber of Commerce and the Eloy Municipal Board. She was also a founding member and the permanent treasurer of Eloy Development Corporation, which was instrumental in bringing industry to Eloy.

Mrs. Chambers was recognized in the 1998 and 2001 National Registry of Who’s Who for her leadership and contributions to the business and social community of Eloy. Her favorite honor was induction into the Santa Cruz Valley Union High School Hall of Fame in 2009, which acknowledges achievements, activities and contributions to the school and the community. She was a generous and devoted mother who gave freely of her time and energy. Her passions were reading and playing the stock market, at which she became quite proficient. She attained an associate degree at Central Arizona College and had numerous credits from the University of Arizona.

She was preceded in death by her husband; a daughter, Karen Ann Chambers; and five siblings, Marie, Lena, James, Earl and Carl. She is survived by three sons, Robert, James and Gary; two grandchildren; and a great-grandson.

Visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 14, at J. Warren Funeral Services, Valley Chapel in Eloy. Celebration of life service there at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 15. Interment in Valley Memorial Park