Dr. Mallory Chambliss, Sr.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never ends.  1 Corinthians 13:7

Winston-Salem -  Dr. Mallory Lewis Chambliss, Sr., age 83, died peacefully on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 surrounded by family. He was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, on January 27, 1935 to Norman Y. Chambliss, Sr. and Julia Barrow Chambliss. Much beloved by his family, he impacted others with his tender heart, a hopeful attitude, loyalty, and love of a good time.  In 1964, he moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina with his wife Mary Avera Chambliss. There he sought to settle, start a family, and establish a private optometry practice in Rural Hall, North Carolina, where he served the community with quality eye care for over 40 years. He was kind and faithful to his patients, many of whom affectionately referred to him as “Doc.” He loved beagles and Jeep trucks. Many a year, he promenaded his tan, Jeep Laredo truck, adorned with a wreath, in the annual Rural Hall Christmas Parade, his beloved beagle, Lucy, in his lap. Mallory graduated from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was a member of the Zeta Psi fraternity. From here, aspiring to be an eye doctor, he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from the Pennsylvania State College of Optometry in Philadelphia. Throughout his life, an avid supporter of UNC sports, the Tarheel basketball and football schedule often predetermined his weekend and weeknight plans - Woody Durham’s voice blasting on the radio with the TV sound turned all the way down.  He also loved classic jazz, especially Dave Brubeck (Take Five), Count Basie, and Ella Fitzgerald. Additionally, as a young man, he served in the National Guard, and subsequently through his life was a member of the Winston-Salem Optometric Society; Y-Men's Club; Rural Hall Lions Club; and NC Piedmont Grape Growers Association. He was a loyal member of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church for fifty years. Mallory was happiest when in the mountains of Laurel Fork, VA where he and his family had a home. He loved working with his hands in the red clay, tending a small vineyard. There he walked the rows, with his beagle at his heels, gently lifting the small bunches of grapes as they grew, checking for Japanese beetles, and handling each bunch with loving care until harvest time. His beloved hobby of grape farming led him and four fellow grape growers and good buddies (Jerry Pegram, Jack Gillespie, Rick Bagley, and Bill McGee) to establish the Germanton Vineyard and Winery in an old dairy barn in Germanton, NC. One of the first wineries in the state; some of their wines won medals. Rarely found sitting still, Mallory was a man of action. After he retired from his private optometry practice in Rural Hall, he continued part-time at Belk Optical in Winston-Salem until 81 years of age. He also loved walking his beagle at Graylyn, tending to his mountain property, and working in his yard well into his seventies. To those who encountered him, even in simple interactions, he was known as a man of humility, kindness, and southern social grace.  He is survived by his wife Mary Avera Chambliss, children Mallory Chambliss, Jr. and Arrington Chambliss (Hez Norton) and his granddaughter Nevaeh Chambliss to whom he was known as “Poppy.” He was preceded in death by his brothers, Joseph B. Chambliss, Sr., Norman Y. Chambliss, Jr. and is remembered affectionately by his nieces and nephews: Martha Lamm, Norman Y. Chambliss III, Rochelle Hill and Joe Chambliss Jr., and Julie Chambliss. He is also fondly remembered by other family members: Betty and John Earle, Elizabeth Ann Jordan, and Ross Earle.  A memorial service will take place at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 2574 Parkway Dr., Winston-Salem, NC on Sunday, October 21st at 2:00pm. The service will be officiated by the Reverend Steve Rice. He will be interred at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church and some of his ashes will also be spread in Rocky Mount NC and Laurel Fork, VA.  The family offers special thanks to the nursing care team of the sixth-floor health care unit at Brookridge Retirement Community of Winston-Salem for their loving care of Mallory. They were the angels who tended him in the last week of his life. Life is short and we  have too little time to gladden the hearts of those who travel the way with us. So, be swift to love and make haste to be kind…. “ Henri-Frédéric Amiel  The love for Mallory endures.  In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations made either to:  St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church | 2575 Parkway Dr. | Winston-Salem, NC 27103 or Forsyth County Humane Society |  4881 Country Club Rd | Winston-Salem, NC 27104.  The arrangements are by Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel.   Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com