of West Memphis, AR
February 8, 2011
Hugh Burnett Chalmers, Sr. of Earle, Arkansas passed away on Tuesday, February 8 in West Memphis, Arkansas. Mr. Chalmers, a graduate of Christian Brothers High School attended Rhodes College, formerly Southwestern at Memphis where he was a Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity member. He was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church in West Memphis and attended Bible Study at Idlewild Presbyterian Church for many years where he was an avid Bible scholar.
Mr. Chalmers owned and operated Chalmers Buick-GMC and Hugh Chalmers Chevrolet-Cadillac-Toyota for over 45 years in West Memphis. A former recipient of the Time Magazine Dealer of the Year Award, he was the past president of the Arkansas Automobile Dealers Association and past president of the Memphis Automobile Dealers Association. He served on the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas System for fifteen years appointed by then Governors Dale Bumpers and David Pryor. More recently he served as vice president of the Living Hope Institute in Texarkana, Arkansas. In addition, Mr. Chalmers served on the Board of Directors of Fidelity National Bank, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Crittenden Memorial Hospital. He was appointed by then Governor Dale Bumpers to the Arkansas State Board of Social and Rehabilitation Services, Arkansas State Building Services, the Office of Economic Opportunity's Community Development Corporation of Eastern Arkansas. He was appointed by then Governor Bill Clinton to the Democratic Central Committee of Arkansas, and elected to the Crittenden County Quorum Court. He was co-chairman of the West Memphis United Way, a member of the West Memphis Chamber of Commerce and a member of the West Memphis Rotary Club.
Mr. Chalmers is survived by his wife, Joyce Ferguson Chalmers of West Memphis and the loving members of the Ferguson family, his sister, Betty Chalmers Peyton of Memphis and his children: son, Hugh Burnett Chalmers, Jr. (Mindy) of Memphis, daughters, Janis Chalmers Bartlett (Randy) of Little Rock, and Leslie Kathryn Chalmers of Destin, Florida as well as the four granddaughters whom he adored, Kathryn Stephens, Rachel Stephens, Tish Chalmers, and Lucy Chalmers. Mr. Chalmers was predeceased by his first wife, Janelle Brower Chalmers, and his late parents Hugh Chalmers and Wilma Burnett Chalmers
A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in West Memphis on Sunday, February 13 at 4 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the First Presbyterian Church in West Memphis, the First Methodist Church of West Memphis, Idlewild Presbyterian Church, Mid-South Community College or the philanthropy of your choice.
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12 Condolence(s)
John Bedford
Thursday, April 21, 2011
I'm sorry to hear Mr. Chalmers passed away. He gave me my first job while attending West Memphis High School back in the mid 70's. I slept the shop and remember JC, a big black man that work there as well. I drove the wrecker a little and worked on new car get ready while Jimmy Hall was Service Mgr there. I'm a Technical Sales Engineer for a large Boiler Representative our of Charlotte, NC. Had it not been for the experience Mr. Chalmers allowed me, I doubt I would have had the ability to do what I'm doing today. Mr. Chalmers gave me a nice white dress shirt when I graduated High School and I'll always remember that as well as the difference he made in my life.
Vicki McArthur
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Hugh Jr,
I'm so sorry for your loss. I enjoyed my 8 years at the dealership. I have to say I've been searching for that work place like we had. Thanks to you and your Dad.
Libby
Monday, February 14, 2011
I am so sorry for your loss. Love love love, Libby
Lori McDonald
Monday, February 14, 2011
Jan, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time. May you find comfort and peace knowing that you will one day join your Father in Heaven. My love to you.
Kim Street Stubblefield
Monday, February 14, 2011
Dear Aunt Joyce,
We are greatly grieved by the loss of your husband. You are loved by our family.
Kim and Family
Don & Phyllis Edge
Friday, February 11, 2011
Our prayers are with you all, May God bless and keep you, Don & Phyllis Edge & Family
Jim and Harriette Gillis
Friday, February 11, 2011
Dear Joyce, May God bless you and all your family at these trying times. I will greatly miss my good friend .
class mate and fellow football player of days gone
by.
Beth Pearrow
Friday, February 11, 2011
So sorry for your loss. Will keep the family lifted up in prayer
Bev Lambert
Friday, February 11, 2011
I remember Hugh Chalmers as a man of great faith.
He would tell us "after you bow your head in mourning, lift up your head in faith". I pray for God's loving blessings on Betty, Joyce, Hugh, Jr., Jan and Leslie.
Jim Bogard
Friday, February 11, 2011
I will be praying for Ms. Joyce and the entire family,he is at rest now in a much better place with our Lord.
Marian & J. E. Wadkins
Thursday, February 10, 2011
To the family, our prayers are with you all.
Love,
Marian & J. E.
Jack Williams
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Hugh was a great friend. Will miss him.
Jack