Leona Elizabeth Chrestman

Mrs. Leona Elizabeth Dycus Chrestman, age 95, of Byhalia, went to sleep in this world and woke up to see the face of her Savior on Easter Sunday morning, April 20, 2025. She was born onDecember 9, 1929, in Memphis, a daughter of the late Barney Young Dycus and Elsie Marie Roland Dycus. Leona was preceded in death by her husband of almost 63 years, Ruben Clifton Chrestman; two brothers, Clarence Roland (C.R. or Poochie) Dycus and Donald Wesley (Joe) Dycus; two sisters, Julia Lorraine (Judy) Dycus Shull and Vida Ruth Dycus Patterson; and one grandchild, Holly Chrestman. Leona grew up on Thomas Street in Memphis, swimming in Malone's community pool and dancing all the way home from the Suzore Theatre. She graduated from Humes High School in 1948. She met the man who would become her husband while working for Hostess Cake and, together, they had two children, five granddaughters, 14 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Both she and Ruben had large families, and they enjoyed entertaining them in their home, as well as spending time with them water skiing and camping at the lake or otherwise vacationing. She was an excellent cook and was careful to mix new dishes with tried-and-true recipes her family loved. She enjoyed canning and freezing foods fresh from the garden and she worked hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle so that she could optimize family time. In her later years, she leaned into church-related activities, serving in many positions with Barton United Methodist Church and Maples Memorial United Methodist Church before becoming a member of First Global Methodist Church in Hernando. She loved to play cards, loved and laughed hard, and was always up for a McDonald's Diet Coke. Leona is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Julia Chiles Chrestman of Byhalia; one daughter and son-in-law, Sharon Chrestman Stone and Jerry Stone of Lakeland, Tennessee; four granddaughters, Paula Chrestman Schneider of Cresson, Texas, Dr. Heather Stone Burchfield of Senatobia, Mississippi, Amber Stone of Memphis, Tennessee and April Chrestman Hannaman of Olive Branch, Mississippi and their families; and three sisters, Margaret Ann (Annie) Dycus Watkins, Barnie Marie Dycus Osteen, and Janie Lee Dycus McMullen. She also leaves many other family members and friends who will miss her presence and strength. Visitation will be held at 10:00am on Monday, April 28, 2025 at First Global Methodist Church. Funeral service will be held afterward at 11:00am with a graveside service to follow at Memorial Park South Woods. Her pastor, Reverend Steven Sparks, and her son-in-law, Reverend Jerry Stone, will co-ociate the ceremonies.