Lipscomb community mourns the passing of beloved volunteer and champion Mary Nelle Hutcheson Chumley

Lipscomb community mourns the passing of beloved volunteer and champion Mary Nelle Hutcheson Chumley

Office of Public Relations & Communications | 01/12/2026

For generations of students, alumni and friends, Mary Nelle Hutcheson Chumley (LA '49, A '53) at Lipscomb University has been a steady, welcoming presence who had a deep-rooted love for the institution.

Today, the Lipscomb community mourns her passing and is thankful for her life of extraordinary service, generosity and faith. She died on Jan. 9 at the age of 96 following a brief illness.

Chumley's relationship with Lipscomb spanned more than 85 years. From childhood memories tied to the university to decades of hands-on volunteerism, her life and Lipscomb's story have long been intertwined.

"Mary Nelle served quietly and faithfully for decades, always focused on students and always asking how she could help," said Lipscomb President Candice McQueen ('96). "She embodied what it means to love a school not just with words, but with her whole life."

"She reflected so many of Lipscomb's core values, particularly delivering your best and serving others, through the care, excellence and humility she brought to everything she did," continued McQueen. "I am grateful for all that she poured into this university and the countless lives she touched along the way. Lipscomb is better because of her, not just because of what she gave, but because of who she was. She lived a life in full bloom, rooted in faith, hospitality and an unwavering love for Lipscomb University. I will personally miss her greatly as she was so good to me, providing me with such great advice and history over the many lunches she prepared for me in the last several years."

Chumley was known for often saying there had never been a time when she was not part of the Lipscomb community. That bond began in childhood, when her grandfather served on the board of trustees of what was then David Lipscomb College. She graduated from Lipscomb's high school - now Lipscomb Academy - in 1949, where she met her first husband, John C. Hutcheson Jr. (LA '47, BA '50). Both went on to attend Lipscomb University as art majors.

Her legacy of volunteerism formally began in 1958, when she and Hutcheson returned to Lipscomb after a period of teaching in Indiana. In an era when faculty families filled many roles beyond the classroom, Chumley quickly became indispensable. A gifted floral arranger and organizer, she decorated campus events, managed Homecoming activities and became a steady presence behind the scenes of university life.

Following Hutcheson's untimely death in 1986, Chumley continued serving Lipscomb with remarkable devotion. For years, she single-handedly created floral arrangements for every major on-campus event, a practice she continued through 2000 and beyond. Even in recent years, she prepared arrangements for ceremonies across campus, including the College of Pharmacy's white coat ceremony, serving through five presidential administrations.

Her concern for students extended far beyond aesthetics. As a young faculty spouse, she worried that students who could not afford to live on campus might forgo a Lipscomb education altogether. She and Hutcheson opened their home to students in need, an experience that shaped her lifelong advocacy for scholarships.

That advocacy found its fullest expression through the Associated Women for Lipscomb. As a founding member in the early 1980s, Chumley pushed for scholarships to be the organization's central mission. Her most enduring contribution followed: the vision to transform Avalon, the historic on-campus home of university founder David Lipscomb and his wife, Margaret, into a bed-and-breakfast and meeting space to fund scholarships.

With administrative approval, Avalon was restored, and Chumley became its scheduler, host and caterer, roles she continued for more than 45 years. She and fellow volunteers handled every detail, from cooking meals to welcoming guests, ensuring all proceeds supported the AWL-Centennial Scholarship. A 2001 campus publication reported more than $23,000 raised in a single year. Today, over $410,000 has been generated for the scholarship endowment, with more than 600 scholarships awarded over the past two decades.

The success of that effort helped inspire additional AWL scholarships and satellite chapters. In recognition of her vision and service, the Associated Women for Lipscomb established the Mary Nelle Hutcheson Chumley Endowed Scholarship in 2015.

In 2006, Chumley was named Lipscomb's Alumnus of the Year, an honor she shared with her husband Charles Chumley ('39), a 1991 Alumnus of the Year honoree. Married in 1990, the Chumleys served Lipscomb together until his death in 2004.

In later years, Chumley became a cornerstone of the university's alumni relations office, particularly its Lifelong Learning and senior alumni programs. She was also a staple at the summer lectures which later became known as Summer Celebration. Staff members often described her as "a third staff member" - someone who handled everything from reunion photo displays to event registration with meticulous care and genuine joy. She also consulted with the George Shinn College for Entertainment & the Arts on an art gallery established in memory of Hutcheson and served on the Lifelong Learning advisory board. Her lifetime giving placed her among members of the university's Legacy Society.

In 2021, Chumley received the Bill Franklin Volunteer of the Year Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education District III.

At that time, reflecting on her service, she said, "I've been a volunteer for Lipscomb since 1958 for no other reason than to be helpful. I have never dreamed or sought out being recognized like this for simply helping others. I've been very fortunate and very blessed to have this long life - and I plan to continue serving others as long as I can."

That same spirit marked her service beyond Lipscomb. At the church of Christ in Green Hills, she helped launch a Monday Meals program that continues to serve shut-ins each week. She taught classes for decades, coordinated senior adult programming and quietly handled tasks that made others feel welcome, even sweeping church entrances before services. In her neighborhood, children knew her for homemade Halloween treats, and many benefited from her art instruction at a nearby community college.

She is survived by son John (Lynn (MAT '11)) Hutcheson (LA ' 70, BA '74), daughter Margaret (Randy BS '77)) Deaton (LA ' 75, BS '78); five grandchildren: Josh (Heidi) Hutcheson, Evan Hutcheson, Erin (Raphe Victor) Hutcheson, Jake Deaton, Alex (Libby) Deaton; and eight great grandchildren: Cooper Powell, Isaac Morrow, Winnie Hutcheson, Naomi Victor, Jaxon, Eloise, Rosie and Gemma Deaton.

In death, as in life, Chumley continued to give. She donated her body to Vanderbilt University for medical education and research. Visitation will be held in the fellowship hall at the church of Christ in Green Hills, 3805 Granny White Pike, Nashville on Friday, Jan. 30, from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 31 at 1 p.m. with the service to follow at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Share your memories and thoughts about Mary Nelle Chumley.

- Portions of information in this article are republished or sourced from an article published on the Lipscomb University website in May 2021 written by G. David England and Rhonda Minton, Office of Advancement.