Tina Lea Chitwood

Tina Lea Chitwood

Tina was born in Las Animas, CO on March 11, 1949, to Lola and Harold Gentry. She was raised on the family ranch in Coleville, CA. In her youth, she helped with all the ranch duties and loved to barrel race. She was a true tomboy as a youngster and held her own with her three brothers. As an adult she wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty, but she was always well dressed and put together. She was intelligent and quick-witted, and loved to laugh and be around her family.

If there’s a single word to describe her it’s TOUGH. The woman was tough! She battled breast cancer and refused any help and never complained during the lengthy treatment process. She told stories of stitching up her brother’s wounds. She liked ice in her wine, her beer cold and her whisky neat.

Tina was a social butterfly and always made people feel like they’d known her forever. Her laugh was infectious, and her heart was pure gold. She was giving and thoughtful, but she was also bold and protective. Tina was an avid reader and crocheted the most amazing blankets for family and friends. Tina loved classic rock music and would make CDs of her favorite bands and songs for family. She loved to dance too.

She is survived by her loving husband, George Chitwood, son Jeffrey Austin and his wife Jeanette, daughter Tammy Teague and her husband Chris, Lisa Jones and her husband, Kyle, Leslie Fairbairn and her husband Justin. Brother, Stan Gentry, Les (Terry) Chichester, Lowell (Carol) Chichester Grandchildren, Savannah and Ryan Brigman, Lance and Natalie LeVeque, Susan and Jay Molina, Garrett Austin, Brayden Austin, Jillian Schnedler, Brodie Call, Taylor Call, Jake Fairbairn, Gavin Fairbairn and Cooper Fairbairn and great grandchildren, Matthew Teague, Emily Schnedler, Max Gonzales and Emily Gonzales and several nieces and nephews. Additionally, she leaves behind her sister-in-law Judy. 

Tina was preceded in death by her parents Lola and Warren Chichester.