Lelia S. Chambers-Howell

MARS HILL—Lelia Silverthorn Chambers-Howell, age 98 of Mars Hill died Sunday, December 27, 2009. Mrs. Howell was born November 26, 1911 in Pamlico County, NC and had lived in Asheville since 1929. She was self-employed as a tailor who would hand sew suits made from Biltmore Homespun Fabrics. Her clientele included international visitors to the Grove Park Inn and Biltmore Homespun Industry. During this time she also sewed for family and friends. After 1960 she continued to sew for friends and a children's clothing manufacturer until the age of 91. She was a Christian of the Baptist denomination. Mrs. Howell was the daughter of the late Samuel Lee and Hattie K. Silverthorn. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 30 years, Fuller Bryan Chambers of Woodfin who died in 1959; husband of 10 years, Osbey Mattox of Salisbury; husband of 10 years, William Howell of Arden; and sister, Vivian Durden of Allendale, SC. Surviving are her sons, F.B. Chambers, Jr., and wife Bernette of Leicester, Robert Chambers and wife Elizabeth of Marshall and Ed Chambers and wife Lynn of Asheville; sister, Sybil S. Ducket Gamble of Asheville; 11 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; 14 great great grandchildren; and long-time friends Jack Poisson and Ginny Lentz, both of Weaverville. A special thanks to Rev. Kenneth Parker for his weekly Sunday prayer visits to Mrs. Howell for the past two years. A celebration of Mrs. Howell's life will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 in the Chapel of West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville with Reverend Ronnie Owens officiating. The family will greet friends following the celebration. Due to a family allergy, please, in lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Madison Manor, 345 Manor Road, Mars Hill, NC 28754 or CarePartners Hospice, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813. www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com