Funeral Services for Patricia Joanne Lennington Chambers, age 89, originally from May TX, will be held Monday, October 2, 2023 at 11:00 am at a graveside service at Pleasant Valley Cemetery in May. All who knew Joanne are welcome to attend.
The Rev. Sheridan Conner of the First United Methodist Church in Iredell TX will be officiating.
Visitation will be held from 3:00 to 5:00 pm Sunday afternoon, October 1, 2023 at Davis-Morris Funeral Home in Brownwood TX.
Joanne was born on June 11, 1934 in Edgewood, TX to LeeRoy and Ellen (Campbell) Lennington. She grew up in Wichita KS, landing in May TX at the age of 11. She found her future husband, Henry Carroll Chambers, at May High School and she loved telling the story of how they became high school sweethearts and how he always made her laugh. They married at the old May Methodist Church on Sept. 20, 1955 and their daughter, Nancy, was born a year later.
Joanne was born to be a teacher! She earned a BS degree in Home Economics from North Texas State University in Denton TX. She was passionate about this subject and sought to instill in her students the skills and love of maintaining a home—home management, cooking, sewing, child development, crafts, and caring for the sick/elderly. She taught for 33 years in public schools in San Antonio, Tuscola, Abilene, and Rising Star TX, as well as Mountain Home ID. But her crowning career achievement was landing a position in Palm Springs, CA, where she taught for over 25 years and earned great respect from her colleagues. She was awarded “Teacher of the Year” too many times to count! She absolutely loved sharing her talents with her students.
At home, Joanne loved to stay busy, whether it be doing needlework, sewing, cooking, writing poems, or gardening. And she loved to learn new things, such as how to use a serger for her sewing projects. In retirement, she took on an entirely new hobby, the art of china painting. The pieces she created will be family treasures for years to come.
Then as technology came to the forefront of modern life, she also embraced the challenge of teaching herself how to use a computer, which is not an easy task even with formal instruction!
After retirement, Joanne now had time to do more of the things she had always hoped to do, especially fun social activities! One day she announced that she had joined a group of ladies known as the Red Hat Society. This group met monthly to socialize and have lunch, and all were dressed up in fancy red hats with purple plumes! But Joanne took it a step further and formed her own group within the group, called the Vintage Roses Performing Group. These ladies, known as the “Sweet Hattalines”, made quite a name for themselves in Brownwood and other local communities. They performed at Nursing Homes and other venues—lip-synching favorite tunes from the 40’s and 50’s, complete with costumes, music, choreographed dance routines, and musical instruments. What a wonderful sisterhood she created!
Joanne lived her life, dutifully abiding by her Christian faith and values in everything she did. She was a member of the May Methodist Church where she served as their pianist and organist for many years. She loved traveling to local Gospel Revivals to play the piano for these events. She gave unselfishly of her time and talents in service to others.
She had a love for animals and had several dachshunds and cats throughout her married life. She and her husband loved to travel across the US in their motor home with their menagerie of pets tagging along.
After a brief illness, Patricia left this earth on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023 in Brownwood with her family by her side and she moved on to her new home in Heaven with God. She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Carroll Chambers, in 2012.
She will be missed beyond measure by all who knew and loved her.
Rest in peace Joanne. As you always used to say, “You done good!”
Joanne’s survivors include her only child, Nancy Elizabeth Chambers and son-in-law Dan Brenton of Early TX; her two grandchildren, (her namesake) Patricia Louise Weir and Daniel Weir; and 3 great-grandchildren, Nolan, Harvey and Elyse Weir, all from California. Also is her beloved sister, Kathryn Ryle of Austin; her niece, Debbie Ryle and 3 nephews—Richard Ryle and Tim Ryle of Austin, and Mark Ryle, of San Francisco CA.
Also, Susan Sonflieth Bogart of Santa Fe, New Mexico.