Barbara Lou Chamblee Lyon

Barbara Lou Chamblee Lyon, 86, of Durham and Pamlico Counties passed away peacefully at her home in Pamlico County on October 27, 2021.   

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 56 years, Donald Francis Lyon (2014), her parents Zebulon and Carolyn Chamblee, brothers Bill Chamblee and Durwood Chamblee and sisters, Rose Turnage and Shirley McKelvey.  Brother-in-law Clayton and Gerry Lyons and sister-in-law Gert Lyons and nieces, Tia Rupp and Diane Lyons.    

She is survived by her daughters, Lori Lyon Stone, Tonya Lyon Queen (Ted) and Donna Lou Lyon Tsukayama (Marc).  Her loving granddaughter, Shannon Stone, her loving grandsons, Teddy and Tyler Queen and grandchildren Kristen Walker, Justin Allen and 5 great grandchildren. 

She is also survived by her brothers, Zeke Chamblee (Joanne), Joseph Chamblee and sister Bet Oakley (Donnie), Sister- in-Law Colleen Chamblee, Sister-in-law, Sandy Lyon (Barry), and brother-in-law Ed Lyons (Dottie).  Nieces and nephews, Gail Turnage, Nancy Eatmon, Amy Leonard, David Chamblee, Daniel Chamblee, Richard Chamblee, Teresa Dillabough, Terra Lyons, Tammi Miller, Clayton Lyons, Maureen Searles, Eddie Lyons, Dennis Rupp, Cheryl Rupp, Denise Rupp, Kymberly Thomas and Lorraine Muse. 

She also is survived by many of her classmates from the class of 1953 Wakelon High School and a gazillion adopted children and grandchildren whom she loved dearly!   

Barbara Lou was born and raised in Zebulon, NC on May 15, 1935.  After high school graduation, she moved to Washington, DC where she met Dad.  They started their life together while Dad was in the service.  Mom enjoyed being a military wife so much.  They began their family with the birth of Donna Lou who was named after both Mom and Dad, a few years later Lori Ann showed up and they remained a family of 4 for several years.  Dad spent some time in the Vietnam and Korean wars and Mom was the sole care provider for Donna and Lori.  When Dad returned from war, Mom told Dad-  “Don, I want another baby”…. Tonya Patricia arrived soon after.   

After military retirement for Dad, we all moved to Durham.  Mom and Dad both started working in the private sector. Mom worked at Blue Cross and Blue Shield, where she met many lifelong friends.  After retirement from BCBS, Dad soon retired and together they LOVED retirement.  They traveled to visit family across the Northeast, but mostly they enjoyed fishing together.  Mom would mostly freeze  while Dad would fish. Then the grandchildren started arriving and they ADORED them more than anything. Always ready for a hug and smile and something to eat. 

As anyone who knew Mom, she loved to cook for her family and friends.  She was a great cook and shared many of her “secret” recipes with us girls. We are ever so thankful for that! Mom was famous for her Banana Pudding, Spaghetti, and Okra and Crab cakes. She was the funniest person we knew and maintained her humor until the very end.  She enjoyed sewing and made many clothes for us girls and grandchildren. Gardening was another love she had and her and Dad had many vegetable gardens over the years – but she loved flowers – every flower!  One of her most favorite activities away from Dad was shopping.  Oh Boy! Did she love to shop!  She cherished her annual Christmas shopping adventures with ‘her’ girls (these were not her daughters) and many many shopping trips with so many people.  Hours and hours! 

Not too many years after they retired, Mom and Dad bought their river home.  Oh, the stories we could tell.  20 years of stories.  They truly enjoyed their time together watching the water go by, rocking in their side-by-side rockers.  Many friends and families would visit, and Mom was always the most gracious host.  She loved hearing the laughter coming from all her guests.  When you visited as a friend, you immediately became family to Mom. 

After Dad passed away, Lori became Mom’s primary caregiver.  Once Lori retired, Mom and Lori moved to the river home full time so Mom could be close to Dad and enjoy her view from the river.  She loved it there so very very much.  When Mom’s health took a turn earlier this year, she was visited every week by so many family and friends.  She loved her family more than anything in the world. 

Our world without our beloved and wonderful Mom will never be the same.  We knew she missed Dad so much and she is now once again in his arms and likely watching him fish and she is preparing those fish to eat for all those who went before her. 

A visitation for family and friends will occur at 11am on Saturday, November 6, 2021 at Hall Wynne Funeral Service located at 1113 W. Main Street, Durham, NC 27701. Her life celebration will be on Saturday, November 6, 2021 at 12pm at Hall Wynne Chapel, 1113 W. Main Street, Durham, NC 27701. 

Donations can be made in lieu of flowers to Journey of Hope- Carolina East Foundation, choose the designation of Cancer Center. 

View some memories of Barbara Lou here: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/FDHK7PMPZR4LTKX5

The Lyon family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, Durham, NC