Bethel, Baltimore Honors Its Oldest Member During Women’s History Month
By Mr.Saleem M. Wooden, 2nd Episcopal District
On the last day of Women’s History Month, historic Bethel AME Church in Baltimore, with the Rev. Patrick D. Clayborn, Ph.D. as the pastor, celebrated the life and times of its oldest church member. Her name is Ms. Hazel K. Chambers and she was present at the Sunday service on March 31, 2019, with several family members as her 103 years of life were honored.
With photos of Ms. Chambers shown on the video screen, the full sanctuary rose to its feet to applaud her long life and vitality. The applause extended as Ms. Chambers rose from her seat, turned to face the congregation, and then waved with both arms into the air, showing appreciation to her Bethel family.
Ms. Chambers was born on June 11, 1915, in Cowdensville, Maryland, as part of the Arbutus community of Baltimore County. As an only child, Ms. Hazel joined Bethel with her parents under the Rev. Harold Stepteau, who came to Bethel in 1925. They joined the church because family members were there, including her aunt, Nannie Duckett. Ms. Duckett transitioned at the age of 102.
Ms. Hazel remembers a white lady who was a member of Bethel when she joined. When St. Peters Protestant Episcopal Church sold Bethel this sanctuary in 1910, the lady decided to stay here and not move with the church to the Mt. Vernon community. Ms. Hazel and her family always sat in the pews near the musicians’ corner. She remembers when Bethel had a baby grand piano and how upset the members were when it was removed. On Sundays in the summer, the musicians arrived early and practiced. With the doors open and no air conditioning, the music floated out onto the street, causing traffic jams as cars slowed down to listen. The police intervened and told them to stop opening the church’s doors when they practiced.
Asked if she could sing, Ms. Hazel said, “Can’t sing a lick!” As she was not a choir member, usher, stewardess, steward, or trustee, one would think she was just a “pew” member. However, as a non-officer, Ms. Hazel worked in the finance room, rode with church officers to make bank deposits, sat with and cared for Bishop Reid’s mother when she was ill, answered the church phones, cleaned the bathrooms, and so much more.
Living in Arbutus, Ms. Hazel rode the streetcar to attend Booker T. Washington Junior High as there were no school buses. Ms. Hazel said, “These children today [are] living good now!” She graduated from Frederick Douglass High School in 1934. Her first job after high school was as a domestic in the Arbutus area. She made $5/week. She later worked as a dental assistant and retired from the dietary department of the Spring Grove Hospital.
Having never been married, Ms. Hazel was engaged a few times. One guy wanted her assets for himself; yet, he brought no assets to the table. Ms. Hazel said she “kicked him to the ‘curb’ for sure.” Ms. Hazel got her driver’s license at the age of 40; and some years later, she bought herself a Chevrolet. She loves to eat and has dessert after most meals. She’s not diabetic and the doctor told her that her heart and liver are good. The doctor told her, “When you die, it’s going to be because everything just wore out!”
One of Ms. Hazel’s “Words of Wisdom” includes “If you don’t like a person, don’t be all up in their face trying to make them over. Pray for them and go on your merry way.” Asked about her secret for a fruitful life, Ms. Hazel said, “Minding my own business. I keep my opinions to myself.”
Responding to the ways the Lord has blessed her, she said, “Just being me, faults and all. Don’t blame others for your faults.” Ms. Hazel feels that she’s blessed with a good family, her health, and her effort to live a good life according to God’s word. Her favorite scripture is Psalm 23. With her exuberance of life, it doesn’t yet appear what Ms. Hazel will be.
