Lydia Hunt

Lydia Hunt passed away at her home in Richland Hills on May 22 after a brief battle with cancer. She was 80 years old. Lydia was born February 15, 1929 in Reio Grande City, Texas to Lewis Edward Leonard and Lydia Louise (Jackson) Leonard of Jermyn, Texas. She grew up on the family ranch in Jermyn (Jackson/Dearing ranch) when Jermyn was a bustling community of schools, churches, railroad service and a window to the world. Born with an adventurous spirit, she was widely traveled, well read and artistically gifted. She eloped with her knight in shining armor just after WWII. He was Alf Sewell, Jr. of Jacksboro, Texas; a twice-wounded, decorated Marine rifleman who fought against the Japanese in four island invasions: New Britain, New Caledonia, Peleleiu and Okinawa. Lydia and Alf had six children; Lydia Lucile, Alf III "Hook", John Michael, James Daniel (d), Leonard Craig (d), and Roy Edward (d). She labored by his side across the Southwest oil patch, moving from one community to the next, ending in Lafayette, La. In later years she was married to Jack Hunt of Notasulga, Alabama and was widowed in 1994. Her life was filled with joy, tragedy, and friendship and she met each challenge with true Texas pioneer grit and impeccable manners which she fostered in all her children and grandchildren. Her interests were very eclectic; from Archeology, world travel, literature and politics thru Astrology, religion and the human condition. She was a gifted and expert seamstress and artisan silver smith, and she kept a beautiful home that reflected her tastes. One of those truly rare souls who never met a stranger, she was visited in her last few weeks by an astonishingly large and diverse stream of lifelong friends, family, relatives and beloveds who all fell under her charming spell and shared life's journey with her. Survivors include three children: Lydia Lucile Guidry of Lafayette, LA; Alf Sewell III of Jacksboro, Texas; and John Michael Sewell of Fort Worth, Texas; four grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and a host of loving friends. Lydia was preceded in death by her mother, father, three children and her husband, Jack Hunt. Graveside service will be held at Oakwood Cemetery in Jacksboro, Texas at 1:30 pm on Thursday June 4th. Guests are invited to join family members for an informal lunch afterward in the banquet room at the famous Green Frog Cafe located at 420 N. Main in Jacksboro, only two blocks from the cemetery on Hwy 199. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Lydia's name to the American Cancer Society.

Lydia Hunt

February 15, 1929 - May 22, 2009