Linda Lehman Chastain

Born to Alma Dickinson Lehman and Harold Frieze Lehman, in Mercedes, Texas, on September 11, 1940, Linda was raised in Weslaco, Texas, until she left for college. Linda graduated in three years from Texas Christian University, where she majored in English and was a member of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. She met her future husband, David Chastain, at a bullfight in Mexico City while they were both in summer school. They married June 16, 1962, and lived in Tampa and Boca Raton, Fla, before calling Columbia, S.C., home in 1980.

Early in her career, Linda taught elementary school in Tampa, Fla. After her daughters were grown, she and David owned and operated Chastain’s clothing store and an Orvis store, both in Columbia. She worked at JB White’s/Belk until her retirement.

Linda and David enjoyed an active social life in Columbia, regularly attending Gamecock football games for several years, traveling, and playing cards with friends. Linda never met a stranger, loved to tell stories and was an avid reader. She was an enthusiastic collector of depression-era glass and enjoyed spending as much time as possible with family and friends, and her beloved pets.

In addition to her parents, Linda was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, David Lawrence Chastain; her brothers Larry Lehman, and Robert Harold Lehman. She is survived by her daughters, Sally Chastain Evans (Thomas Wilson Sadler II) of Altamonte Springs, Fla, and Susan Chastain Doyle (Brian) of Roswell, Ga. grandchildren Megan Doyle Keegan (Brian) of Boston, Mass., and Jimmy Doyle of Roswell, Ga.

A private celebration and spreading of ashes will take place at a later date. Memorials contributions may be made to the Atlanta Humane Society or to a charity of your choice.