Barbara Christian Chumney

Barbara Christian Chumney, a true force of nature and elegance, passed away at age 82 on Sunday, June 2, 2024. She leaves behind a large community of loved ones, friends and family both in Houston and San Antonio, Texas.

Barbara was best known for her creativity, signature style and successful career having worked for over 40 years in the fashion industry as a buyer, model, personal shopper and designer. She loved everything about the world of fashion starting as a young woman and continuing throughout her life. She relished this role not only because she enjoyed seeing individualism expressed through personal style, but also because it allowed her to use her creative talent such as designing wedding veils for hundreds of young brides. She held leadership roles with Joske’s of Texas, Saks Fifth Avenue and modeled for countless retailers and non-profit organizations throughout Texas. Barbara continued flourishing as an avid artist taking up many successful hobbies, including painting, pottery, jewelry design, knitting and needlepoint. There are countless people who have been blessed by her artistic talents. She was an avid gardener and gourmet chef. Barbara was an incredible woman of hospitality and passionate about leaving her mark in this world.

Barbara was known for her heart of service and was active in the Junior League of San Antonio, Edna Gladney Home, San Antonio German Club, Zeta Tau Alpha Alumna Chapter, Laurel Heights Garden Club, San Antonio Episcopal Diocese, Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church and other countless organizations throughout the years.

Outside of her public persona, Barbara was a queen bee. She was warm, sassy, and wise, emanating her Southern charm from beneath her persistent determination. In 2021, she sold her home in San Antonio and moved to Houston. Despite the natural narrowing of social circles as time went by, Barbara maintained an incredible circle of friends who regularly dialed her up or dropped by at cocktail hour. Thank you to everyone who kept her life interesting and fun until the very end; she was so lucky to be able to remain independent and connected into her last days.

Barbara was born in San Antonio on August 3, 1941, to William Alfred Christian and Gertrude Barbara Wotipka Christian. She grew up in Corpus Christi attending Incarnate Word School and graduating from W. B. Ray High School. After receiving her marketing degree from TCU (where she was a proud Zeta Tau Alpha), Barbara moved to San Antonio to work and eventually meet the love of her life, Earl H. Chumney, Jr. They married September 17, 1966. After Earl’s death in 2000, Barbara enjoyed an unexpectedly lovely "third act," traveling and spending time with dear friends and companions. She passed many summers in New England and the Midwest and traveled throughout the world with a new set of friends and a great sense of adventure.

Barbara had two children of whom she was fiercely proud. India Chumney Hancock and William Christian Chumney, both who survived their beloved mother. India and her husband Brad (Lawrence Bradley Hancock) of Houston gave Barbara four grandchildren: Kathryn Adair Hancock (Virginia), Lawrence Bradley Hancock, Jr (College Station), Eliza DaCamara Hancock (Houston) and Robert Earl Hancock who preceded her in death on March 17, 2024. The children had many wonderful times with their “Zaza” both at home and on trips where Barbara was eager to participate in their world. Chris and his wife Amy (Amy Sue Lueders Chumney) of Bronte, Texas blessed Barbara with her first grandchildren: Logan Graham Chumney, wife Ryleigh Chumney (Abilene), Christian Cade Chumney (Bronte) and India Katherine Chumney (San Angelo). “Gigi”, as known to these children, eagerly traveled to West Texas to enjoy her time with family and hosted them countless times at home always willing to have fun and be a voice of encouragement.

Barbara is survived by her sister Mildred Ann Christian Elam of Flatonia, Texas and nephew David Christian Elam and wife, Lisa Lindsey Elam, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; niece Theresa Christine Elam Piersall and husband, Jay Gary Piersall of Austin, Texas and niece Elizabeth Maureen Elam of Austin, Texas; along with so many cousins, great nieces, and nephews.

The family will hold a Mass at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in San Antonio on Tuesday, June 18 at noon.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate any memorial donations be made to Raphael's Refuge, 2715 West US Highway 90, Flatonia, Texas 78941 https://raphaelsrefuge.org or Robert “Bo” Hancock Memorial Foundation at https://ghcf.kimbia.com/robertbohancockmemorialfoundation

Click here to view the service of Mrs. Barbara C. Chumney