The Rev. Ralph Proctor Chambless was born on Friday, September 16, 1949 in Americus, Georgia to Betty Holmes (Keen) Chambless and Ralph Proctor Chambless. His life on this earth ended on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, in Savannah, Georgia. His great grandparents John Owen and Annie Burch Proctor of Rentz, Ga, his grandparents, Jesse Ralph and Kate Missouri (Proctor) Chambless of Alamo, Ga, and Thermon E. and Reita Mae (Keen) Holmes were all a part of his childhood and youth.
He attended Moore Street Elementary School and Central Junior High School in Dublin, GA. He attended W.D. Thompson Elementary and Cross Keys High School in Dekalb County, GA. He graduated from Cross Keys High School in 1967. He received a BA in History from the University of GA in 1971, and in 1977 received a Doctor of Ministry from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA. He was ordained as a minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.) which later became the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in October of 1978 at Myers Park Presbyterian Church in Charlotte NC.
Proctor served the following churches in his ministry: Myers Park Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, NC; First Presbyterian Church, Huntsville, AL; First Presbyterian Church, Marianna, FL; John Knox Presbyterian Church, Greenville, SC; Oak Grove Presbyterian Church, Bethpage, TN; Milldale Presbyterian Church, Springfield, TN; Henry Memorial Presbyterian Church, Dublin, GA: First Presbyterian Church, Springfield, Tn. Proctor served Interim Pastorates at First Presbyterian Church, Waycross, GA; First Presbyterian Church, Cornelia, GA; and Vidalia Presbyterian Church, Vidalia, GA.
Proctor married the former Virginia Elizabeth Smith on Saturday, November 27, 1971 at Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, GA. Together they bore Jason Orne (Margie Rawls – children Bailey and Carter) and Kate Elizabeth (Jason McMullan – children Ori and Thackston).
Proctor was blessed to have known, served with, and loved some of the most wonderful people God could have ever put in his life. He had a bucket list that included attaining a Pilot’s License and officiating high school football for over 22 years. He enjoyed being a jack of all trades and master of none!
Those who love me, I will deliver. I will protect those who know my name. When they call on me, I will answer them. I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them. With long life I will satisfy them and show them my salvation. Psalm 91
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, March 4, 2023, at 1:00 PM at Wilmington Island Presbyterian Church in Savannah, Georgia.
In lieu of flowers, please consider giving in Proctor’s memory to programs and organizations in your community who provide help to children and those in need.
