Lydia Jo Chumbley

Lydia Jo Chumbley April 25, 1940 – March 16, 2023

Lydia Jo Chumbley was born on April 25, 1940, and was raised with her five siblings near the zigzag of a county road in Annona, Tx.

There in Annona, her parents, Ernest Howell & Mary Jo Butts, raised a brood of independent and bright-minded children. To hear Mary Jo tell it, her eldest child, Lydia, fought from Day 1 to be the author of her life.

True to her strong-willed nature, the Homecoming queen graduated from Annona High and immediately threw herself into a new area code where she would train to become a hairdresser. While doing it, she met her future and only husband, Howard Chumbley.

The ensuing years of her new beginning brought forth pixie cuts, beehives and the birth of two busy boys, Chris and John. While raising boys into men and balancing a job isn’t easy, Lydia somehow made it through it all with only a mild Dr Pepper addiction. She raised those boys to be much like her, and as they grew up, they moved out, starting their own families.

Throughout her life, Lydia was a noted professional antique dealer and spent 50+ years pursuing, buying and selling antiquities across the US, experiencing some of her most profound joy. In an antique mall, Lydia was in her element, curating only the best collectibles and a horde of friends as eclectic as the antiques. The best day didn’t have to involve a sale, NOT that it wouldn’t have hurt, but it was another way for Lydia to spend time with friends and socializing, which was one of her favorite pastimes. She took every chance to do it and enjoyed her afternoons in many local tea rooms soaking up the latest stories to be shared. The loss of Lydia to the antique world is said to be “the end of a legend." She knew her business, and the relationships she fostered were invaluable.

The latter years of her life brought additional joy in the way of three grandchildren, Leesa, Tate and Elle and two great-grandchildren, Hudson and Emery. Lydia was always a gifted conversationalist and storyteller and always had a story to share with them. That gift stems from her great love of reading. When others were streaming shows on Netflix, she was lost deep in her true crime and fictional books on her Kindle. The mini audience would give life to a story by intently listening as Lydia created new adventures of Bibi the bird or whatever new character she would make for the children. To hear them speak of those stories with their Mema may be some of the most fabulous misses they will have.

In addition to happiness with your children, life can also bring grief. Lydia and Howard were forced to mourn the unexpected loss of their son, John Jason Chumbley. The period became a cause to protect her granddaughter Leesa from that grief, allowing all to find sanity in a hurricane. There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for all her grandchildren.

Leaning on each other, Howard and Lydia had an indefinable bond for 63+ years. Not a day passed that they didn’t state how proud they were of all their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They always found time to spend time with them. Lydia would stop anything she was doing for that opportunity. Her family was her world.

Lydia verged on 83 years of age; many who watched her carefully navigating her walker into an antique mall must have wondered what would stop her.

On March 16, 2023, Lydia, devoted mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed as we all should, coming full circle as author of her life, peacefully knowing she rode the roller coaster of life to her fullest.

Lydia is survived by her husband of 63 years, Howard; her son Chris & wife, Rene’ Chumbley; three grandchildren, Leesa & husband Caleb Craven, Tate and Elle Chumbley, and two great-grandchildren, Hudson and Emery Craven; and an extended family of her sister, Kathie & husband Johnny Wells, brothers Larry and Marion Butts, brother-in-law Harmon Perryman, sister-in-law Lois Butts, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Lydia was preceded in death by her parents Ernest and Mary Jo Butts, son, John Chumbley, sister Patti Perryman and brother Tom Butts.

We love you, and you will forever be in our hearts. With tears in our eyes, we celebrate your life!
All our love,
The Family

We would be blessed if you would join us in celebrating the INCREDIBLE life of Lydia Chumbley:
Lucas Funeral Home
1601 S. Main Street
Keller, TX 76248
— Visitation: Friday, March 24, 6 pm-8 pm
— Service: Saturday, March 25, 2 pm
Followed by a Graveside Service at:
Bourland Cemetery
900 Bourland Road
Keller, TX 76248

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Cook Children's Health Foundation.
https://giving.cookchildrens.org/main.aspx