Lila Chafey

 In Loving Memory of Lila Jean (Turner) Chafey

Lila Jean (Turner) Chafey was born on February 19, 1937, in Wichita Falls, Texas, to Eugene and Jessie Turner. She passed away after a life filled with faith, service, education, and deep love for her family and community.

Raised in Big Spring, Texas, Lila spent much of her childhood there and graduated from Big Spring High School in 1955. While attending Baylor University, she met the love of her life, Lt. Frank D. Chafey, who was training as a pilot at Webb Air Force Base. The two were married in March 1956 and shared nearly six decades of marriage, building a life rooted in devotion, adventure, and unwavering support for one another.

As the wife of a U.S. Air Force B-52 pilot, Lila embraced the opportunities and challenges of military life, making homes in several locations across the country. During those years, she earned her degree in Elementary Education from Louisiana Tech University in 1970 and taught in Bossier City, Louisiana, for four years.

In 1974, Lila and her family settled in Abilene, Texas, where she continued pursuing her passion for education. She earned her Master's degree in Education as a Reading Specialist from Hardin-Simmons University in 1977. Throughout her distinguished career, she taught reading at Lincoln Junior High for five years and Abilene High School for thirteen years. Even after retiring from Abilene Independent School District, Lila continued sharing her love of learning by teaching Developmental Reading at McMurry University.

Education was more than a profession for Lila-it was her calling. She believed in the power of reading to open doors and devoted her career to helping countless students discover confidence, knowledge, and opportunity.

Lila also believed deeply in giving back to her community. She was an active member of the American Association of University Women beginning in 1978 and had the honor of serving as its president from 2000 to 2001. She was inducted into Delta Kappa Gamma, an organization dedicated to women educators, where she also served as chapter president. Her love of books and lifelong learning inspired years of service with Friends of the Abilene Library, including six years on its Board of Directors and one year as president. She was also an active member and past president of the Abilene Woman's Club, where she faithfully served on numerous committees.

Her faith remained the foundation of her life. Lila was a devoted member of First Baptist Church of Abilene beginning in 1975, where she found fellowship, purpose, and lasting friendships.

Above all else, Lila treasured her family. She was lovingly known as Mimi, a name that reflected the warmth, tenderness, and joy she brought to the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Frank Chafey. She is survived by her children, Rick Chafey and Jeannene Young; her grandchildren, Courtney Barnes, Kelsey Coker, and Eric Young; and her great-grandchildren, Korbyn Barnes, Kayde White, Liam Gipson, Brooks Gipson, and Zane Gipson. Being Mimi was one of the greatest joys of Lila's life, and she cherished every moment spent loving, encouraging, and celebrating her family. Her greatest happiness came from watching each generation grow and knowing that her love would continue through them.

Lila will be remembered for her gentle spirit, kind heart, unwavering faith, and dedication to education and service. She touched countless lives as a teacher, mentor, volunteer, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. To her family, she was a steady source of love, comfort, wisdom, and grace. Her legacy lives on in the many students she inspired, the organizations she strengthened, and the family she loved so dearly.

She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing and loving her. Though her family will feel her absence every day, they will also carry the beautiful gift of her love in their hearts forever.