Carmen Chambers

LIFE REFLECTIONS

On November 10, 1943, in the village of Catadupa, in St. James Parish, Jamaica, Rev. Alfred Cole and Mrs. May Violet Cole, welcomed their eldest daughter, Carmen Monica Cole into the world. The middle child of five siblings, Carmen followed in her family’s footsteps and, from an early age, demonstrated a commitment to living a life of faith, grace and excellence.

Carmen spent her formative years in Kingston, Jamaica, where she was known for her kindness, character, and dedication to church life and academics. She was an accomplished student who proudly graduated with distinctions from Kingston’s Ardenne High School, where she later maintained an active lifelong membership in its alumni association.

With abiding faith and virtuous character, Carmen epitomized the “Proverbs 31” woman. She embodied both grace and strength and was, in many respects, a woman ahead of her time.

While following her professional pursuits and managing the responsibilities of a young wife, Carmen received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of the West Indies. As a very expectant mother-to-be, she then returned to UWI and earned her master’s degree in political science.

In 1969, Carmen emigrated to the United States with her husband, Lascelles, and baby daughter, Karen. They settled in East Orange, New Jersey, and welcomed a second daughter, Heather, in 1972. By the early eighties, South Orange, New Jersey would become Carmen’s permanent home, where she shared love and laughter with her daughters and extended family, including her beloved mother, “Gra’Ma” May.

Professionally, Carmen enjoyed a distinguished career that included more than three decades in financial management at Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. Her unique style of leadership combined a commitment to professional excellence with dedication to helping others succeed.

After retirement, Carmen fulfilled her “bucket list” goal of completing her education with a Doctoral Degree. At seventy years young, her lifelong professional and scholarly work culminated in her earning a Doctorate in Management from the University of Maryland. Dr. Chambers’ 2012 dissertation reflected and validated her beliefs that workplaces could be transformed through integrity in leadership that valued people as much as productivity.  

Spiritually, the cornerstone of Carmen’s life was her Christian faith. She was a proud member of St. Paul Baptist Church in Montclair, New Jersey, known for her decades of humble dedication to servant-leadership. As a Trustee and former choir member, Carmen adored her St. Paul family and had a deep commitment to serving Christ and lovingly supporting her pastor and her church.

Whether she was known as Mommy, Auntie, Sister, Trustee, Mrs. or Doctor, Carmen Chambers will forever be remembered for her gentleness, strength, generosity, and love by all who were blessed to be touched by her presence.

Carmen was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Alfred Cole and May Violet Cole, and by her brothers, Winston Stewart and Victor Clare.

She leaves behind a legacy of faith and a lifetime of loving memories to be cherished by her daughters, Karen Chambers and Heather Chambers; her siblings, Fay Evelyn Cole and Eugene Cole; and a host of cherished family, church members and dear friends.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”  ~ Matthew 25:23

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