Lydia Schaibley

Lydia L. Schaibley, age 85, of Winchester, Tennessee, passed away on March 28, 2026, at Elk River Nursing & Rehab.

She was born on May 26, 1940, to the late Huston and Reba Byrd Hedrick in Oakdale, Tennessee on September 10, 1959, she married the love of her life, Robert Schaibley. Together, they built a life filled with love and devotion, spending 31 years in Aurora, Illinois. After retirement, they moved back to Tennessee. Lydia was a faithful member of Riva Lake Baptist Church for 36 years.

Lydia had a servant's heart and generously volunteered at Mercy Center Hospital in Illinois. She loved doing word searches, cheering on the University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team, and rooting for the Chicago Cubs. She also loved spending time fishing, especially with her grandchildren. More than anything, Lydia was a devoted family woman. She was a true homebody who loved being surrounded by those she loved most. Her gentle, loving presence will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert Schaibley; and her siblings, Kenneth Hedrick, Linda Flanagare, Norma Snyder, and Ada Strickland.

She is survived by her children, Connie (Jeffrey) McKenzie of Winchester, Tennessee, Vickie Kish of Worth, Illinois, Ronald Schaibley of Parker, Colorado, and Richard (Linda) Schaibley of Streator, Illinois; 14 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; and several extended family members.

Visitation will be held on Friday, April 3, 2026, from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM at Watson Funeral Home. Funeral services will immediately follow at 2:00 PM in the Roy B. Watson Chapel of Watson Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Watson Memorial Park.