Daphne Lambert Chestnut, age 99, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on June 25, 2026, in Savannah, Georgia.

Born on January 14, 1927, in Horry County, South Carolina, Daphne was the daughter of Hub and Ruth Lambert. She grew up on her family’s farm, where she and her siblings worked alongside their parents from an early age. She often credited the hard work and discipline of her childhood with giving her the strength, resilience, and work ethic that carried her through nearly a century of life.

A gifted student, Daphne began school at just four years old and excelled academically. After graduating, she attended Columbia College in Columbia, South Carolina. Although life led her in other directions before she could complete her degree, education remained one of her greatest personal values. In her 60s, while working full-time and helping care for her growing family, she returned to Armstrong College to earn her degree in English—a lifelong goal fulfilled through determination and perseverance.

Daphne married Jack Chestnut in 1946, and together they shared 28 years of marriage while raising five children. Her greatest joy was her family, which grew to include 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. She delighted in every new baby and treasured every family gathering. During the last nine years of her life, she shared her home with her granddaughter Brandi Hadwin, Brandi’s husband, Brad, and their four children. A house full of children brought her joy, and having another generation growing up around her filled her later years with laughter, love, and purpose.

Her faith was the foundation of her life. Daphne was a devoted and active member of Isle of Hope Baptist Church, where she faithfully served for many years. She lived her faith not only through church service but through everyday acts of kindness, generosity, and hospitality. She made sure every family gathering began with a blessing, shared Bible stories with her grandchildren, and quietly looked for ways to help anyone in need. She truly lived with a servant’s heart.

To know Daphne was to know someone who could create beauty from almost anything. An exceptional seamstress, she lovingly stitched countless Halloween costumes, wedding dresses, baby blankets, and treasured keepsakes for family and friends. Her sewing room overflowed with fabric and craft supplies because she never stopped imagining her next project. She was also a remarkable gardener whose flowers flourished under her care, an avid reader who never lost her curiosity, and a wonderful Southern cook whose pound cake and banana pudding became family favorites. 

Her grandchildren remember racing to sit beside her for one of her famous back scratches, acting out the Nativity story each Christmas, and countless slumber parties with bedtime stories wishing them “Goodnight, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite.”

Daphne often reminded those around her that, “Hard work always looks good when it’s finished,” and she lived by that principle throughout her life. She also taught her family that happiness isn’t measured by possessions, but by faith, love, and time spent together. Through her example, she showed generations what generosity, resilience, creativity, and unwavering dedication looks like.

At Christmastime, the fireplace in Daphne’s home held more than 50 handmade stockings—one for every child, grandchild, great-grandchild, and loved one. Every one of them had been sewn by Daphne’s own hands. It is a fitting symbol of the life she lived. Through every stitch she sewed, every meal she prepared, every garden she tended, every prayer she offered, and every child she nurtured, Daphne quietly poured herself into others. Her family will forever be grateful for the faith she shared, the traditions she created, and the example she set. Her legacy lives on in every generation she loved, and she will be deeply missed until they meet again. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Chestnut; her parents, Hub and Ruth Lambert; and her siblings, Doyce Lambert, Dorothy Means, and Joan Rabon.

She is survived by her children, Ken (Leslie) Chestnut, Kathy Thomson, Anne Andrews,  Jackie (Dennis) Cornelius, and Herb Chestnut; her grandchildren, Casey Chestnut, Leigh Thomson (Joshua), Will Chestnut (Courtney), Brandi Hadwin (Brad), Bo Thomson, Jonathan McCrary (Lydia), Worth Rountree (Lawrence), Lindsay Nesmith (Shannon), Jack Chestnut, Michael Chestnut, Zachary Cornelius (Mariana), Patrick Cornelius (Victoria), Clay Chestnut (Sarah), and Ellie Chestnut (Zodi); her great-grandchildren, Jacob, Logan, Tyler, Braylon, Addison, Nate, Braxton, Parri, Charlotte, Eli, Hayes, Jack Beckett, Sawyer, Hattie Jayne, and Charlie; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends whose lives were enriched by her love.

A celebration of Daphne’s life will be held at Isle of Hope Baptist Church on Monday, June 29th at 2pm. Burial will be held on July 1st at Salem Baptist Church Aynor, SC at 11am.

I lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice Savannah or Isle of Hope Baptist church.