Remembering Tullus Chambers
Written by Justin D. Lamb
With 25 years of service, Chambers was Benton’s longest serving School Superintendant.
(Courtesy of Marshall County Genealogical Society)
Tullus Amos “Ted” Chambers was born on August 21, 1897 in Calloway County to Noah Amos Chambers and Alta Ann Harris. Chambers completed his school studies in 1915 and began teaching in the rural one-room schools of Calloway County.
Chambers joined the United States Army during World War I where he served as clerk for the 59th Ammunition Company at Fort Adams, Rhode Island. Before being discharged in May 1919, Chambers also served as Filing Clerk of the Coast Defense Headquarters. Following his tour of duty, he furthered his education at the University of Kentucky, Murray State College and later at Western Kentucky University where he received his bachelor’s degree. Chambers returned to teaching after college and served as principal of Cherry Graded School in Calloway County for three years and then as Principal of Almo High School for three years. Chambers moved to Benton in 1927 when he was named Superintendent of the Benton School System.
During his first few years at the head of Benton Schools, Chambers reorganized Benton High School into an accredited school with membership in the Southern Association of Schools. He put into practice a complete system of records unsurpassed by any high school in the state at the time. He organized a new modern course of study and planned a daily schedule to utilize student and teacher time more efficiently.
Chambers was a life member of the National Education Association and the Kentucky Education Association. He also was member of the First District Education Association where he served as president. In 1927, Chambers was one of the founding members of the Benton Young Men’s Progress Club which later evolved into the Marshall County Rotary Club.
After 25 years at the helm of Benton Schools, Chambers was diagnosed with a rare heart condition which left him ill for many months. On November 22, 1952, Chambers passed away at Murray Hospital after suffering a heart attack. He was laid to rest in the Benton Cemetery. A few years later, the Benton School System constructed a gymnasium on Seminary Hill next to the Benton High School and it was named “Chambers Memorial Gymnasium” in honor of the late Tullus Chambers.