Rochelle Wamble

Rochelle Wamble, age 95, went home to her Lord on May 5, 2014 after living a full, faithful and musical life. Rochelle was a native of Dixonville, Alabama where she was born in her grandmother's home. She was a lifetime member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Community of Christ), and she spent most of her life as a faithful member playing the piano or leading the choir in church in Berrydale, Florida, Pensacola, Florida, and for 50 years in Milton, Florida. She lived on Raymond Hobbs Street in Milton next to the church for 43 years until moving to Pensacola in 2003. Rochelle grew up in Calhoun, Alabama where her father, George Hall, managed the J.T. Bell Estate, attending elementary school in a "one-room schoolhouse." She moved up to high school in Fort Deposit, Alabama, riding the train each way every day with her cousins, playing basketball, the piano and violin. She would later attend Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa, earning an A.A. degree in music, a feat somewhat unique to the times as a young woman during the depression. She would eventually marry a very handsome Ansley DeBardelaben in Mobile, Alabama, with whom she had two children, and years of love and dedication. In Milton, she taught piano at home and in the Santa Rosa County School System in the early 1950s and later was secretary to the superintendent of schools, Radford Locklin, completing 20 years before retiring. During that same time, she took a break to help her parents and her husband to found and manage Hall's Hardware on Elmira Street in 1958. They would sell the business in 1971. After the death of her beloved husband of 33 years in 1973, she met and married Charley Wamble in 1975 with whom she would spend the next 25 years. These years were filled with grandbabies, great-grandbabies, RV caravans, camping trips, and ocean cruises. Charley died in 2000, and Rochelle eventually moved in 2003 to Pensacola to be closer to her daughter, Nelda. Her social life continued to thrive with playing dominoes and SkipBo with friends and family, attending plays and gospel music events, going out to lunch with friends, and "getting her hair done." Her love for Southern Gospel music would take her on the road and the seas. At 90, she still thought you should see it all, going to the midnight buffets and late night concerts. As a fifty-year member of the Eastern Star, Rochelle served in many capacities including Worthy Matron and, for many years, as pianist for the Milton chapter and shared many wonderful times with her Eastern Star sisters. Rochelle was a strong, caring daughter, mother, wife, grandmother and friend. She was an example to her family and friends as a faithful, funny, and trusted confidant and advisor who wore a smile and was "fine" until God took her home. She will be missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew and loved her. Rochelle is survived by a daughter, Nelda Sorenson (Rich) of Pensacola, FL; a son, Gene DeBardelaben (Laura) of Reno, NV; grandchildren, Monica Casey (Chris) of Pensacola, FL; Lisa Dee of Reno, NV; and Ryan DeBardelaben (Theresa) of Bend, OR; greatgrandchildren Gavin and Erin Casey of Pensacola, Mason Dee and Ascher Averett of Reno, NV and "Baby Ryan" of Bend, OR, due August 2014. Stepchildren Jane Pisarello (Carlos) of Jackson, MS, Nancy Lee (Bill) of Panama City, FL and Doug Wamble (Gina) of Colorado Springs, CO. Stepgrandchildren Doug and Chris Lee, Holly Pisarello, and Paul and Jonathan Wamble. "Adopted granddaughters" Janell Richards (David), and Alicia Cain and "adopted greatgrandchildren" Lana Kempton, Amanda, Nathan, and Daniel Richards. Her special "almost sister", cousin Wilma McNeill of Montgomery, AL, and "other daughter", SkipBo pal and traveling friend, Diane Ward of Cantonment, FL. Rochelle is preceded in death by her husband Ansley DeBardelaben, and second husband Charley Wamble; and her parents, George and Millian Hall. Rochelle's life will be celebrated at Lewis Funeral Home in Milton on Thursday, May 8, 2014 at 11:00 am. with burial to follow at Serenity Gardens Cemetery in Milton. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 7th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.