Carolyn Chumbley

Services are scheduled for 10 am Friday, March 18 at First Baptist Church for Carolyn Chumbley of Artesia, New Mexico.

Mrs. Chumbley 74, died on March 14, 2022 at her home in Artesia.

Carolyn was born on March 11, 1948 in Artesia; the daughter of Burnice Virgil Bratcher and Maggie Elizabeth Wyche Bratcher. Carolyn was a lifelong resident of Artesia.

Above all things, Carolyn was an artist. Carolyn expressed her artistic gift through a variety of media, including oil and watercolor painting, crocheting, needlepoint, ceramics, quilting, and all manner of home construction and remodeling. Carolyn was a gifted seamstress, having made clothes for herself, and those she loved. She was a member of the local quilting club and made numerous quilts for her family and loved ones.

Carolyn was an accomplished musician, and will be remembered for her gift of music, which she shared with others throughout her life. She began playing the piano in the church in her teen years and extended this ministry to include singing in choir, playing in the handbell choir, and participating in church holiday music each year at Christmas and Easter. Carolyn also spent many years as an accompanist and teachers aid in the Artesia Public Schools. "Mrs. Chums" love of music had an enduring impact on a countless number of children.

Carolyn's love was also expressed in cooking for others. No holiday meal was complete without Carolyn's home made bread. She shared her love of cooking with all of her children and grand children, teaching them to make her homemade bread, her own grandmother's ice cream, and "Grannie" cookies, which were re-named by the grand kids as "Grammy" cookies.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her father. Survivors include her mother Elizabeth Bratcher; husband George Chumbley; sons John Chumbley, Lynn Chumbley and wife Kimberly, Robert Chumbley and wife Tao; a brother Mike Bratcher; sisters Avonna Davis and Zelma Haggard; and seven grandchildren - Lawson, Kaitlyn, Deacon, Hudson, Lilian, Margo, and Reid.

Ty Houghtaling and David Brunson will officiate the services. Burial will follow at Woodbine Cemetery. Pallbearers are Lawson Chumbley, Timothy Yates, Ben Haggard, Nick Haggard, Zach Mathews and Raymond Mathews. Honorary Pallbearers are Deacon Chumbley, Hudson Chumbley, Reid Chumbley.

A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Proverbs 31 10-31