Lydia Marie Clendening's Obituary
Lydia Marie Clendening, age 83, passed away on May 23, 2026, in Longview, Texas. She was born December 19, 1942, in Kingsville, Texas, the first child of Harold Orville Jones and Alice Marie Kruse.
Lydia's life was defined by her devotion to her family. She married Thomas Paul Clendening in Corpus Christi, Texas, on October 28, 1960. Together they built a family that became the center of her world. They welcomed four sons over the next twelve years, and embraced the demanding, rewarding work of raising them.
Lydia possessed a remarkable resilience and determination. This may have been the result of losing her mother at the age of six. In the decade that followed, she was uprooted many times, sometimes living with her older half-sister, Virginia Peterson, other times with her father. She eventually found a home with foster parents John and Virginia Myers, in Corpus Christi.
Throughout their marriage, Tom and Lydia followed opportunities wherever they led, moving their family when doing so offered the promise of a better future. From Corpus Christi to Iowa, Houston, Mobile, Panama City, Wyoming, East Texas, and beyond, she approached each new chapter with a steadfast commitment to her family's well being.
Lydia sought a spiritual home for many years, finally finding it with the Baptist church. She dedicated countless hours to church ministries and made many friends wherever she lived.
Lydia's greatest pride was her family. She found joy in watching her children grow and establish families of their own. She is survived by her husband, Tom, her four sons: Mitchell Clendening and wife Raquel of Houston, Scott Clendening of Malakoff, Eric Clendening and Jason Clendening of White Oak, nine grandchildren: Kirk Clendening and wife Kecia, Ariel Conway and husband Tucker, Matthew Clendening, Tyler Clendening and wife Halie, Claire Clendening, Erin Clendening, Makayla Clendening, Peyton Clendening, Hunter Clendening and Madelyn Clendening, and five great grandchildren: Konlie Clendening, Kenslie Hazelip, Kambrie Clendening, Maisyn Conway, Quade Conway, and Tylie Clendening. She is survived by many nieces and nephews who mourn her passing, as well.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her half-sister Virgie, and her younger brother Harold "Butch" Jones, Jr. She is survived by her half-siblings Lawrence Jones, Gary Jones, Michael Jones and Denise Jones.
Lydia will be remembered with love, gratitude, and admiration by her family and all who were fortunate enough to know her. A celebration of her life will be announced in the near future.
May her memory be a blessing.
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