Frances Merle Privett

Celebration of the memory of Frances Merle Privett, 85, of Lubbock will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 24, 2018, at Vandelia Church of Christ. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, February 23, at Sanders Funeral Home. Merle, as she was known to most of her friends (although she was “Fran” to her beloved Kenneth and “Grandma” to her many grandchildren and their friends) passed away February 17, 2018. She was born September 30, 1932, to David Arthur and Ruth Billingsley. Merle’s family were dry land cotton farmers in the New Deal area. In 1947, her family sold the “First Bale of Cotton” of the year and were awarded prizes from the Junior Chamber of Commerce and local radio stations. Merle graduated from New Deal High School then Draughn’s Business College and moved to Lubbock where she worked at the Borden Company as a secretary and for W.O. Fortenberry as a bookkeeper. She married the love of her life, Kenneth Privett, on February 14, 1957, and they enjoyed life together for 40 years until his death in 1997. Kenneth and Merle had three boys and loved to play baseball as a family. Merle was a big “Hometown Fan” and loved everything about New Deal, attending the school’s 75th anniversary get-together. She was active in Ladies Bible Study at Vandelia Church of Christ and the Associates of Lubbock Christian University. She enjoyed playing 42 and dominoes with family and friends. Merle is survived by her beloved “Three Musketeers,” her three sons, Lyndal Privett and wife Sharon, Bryan Privett and wife Ronna, and Arlan Privett and wife LeAnn; eight grandchildren, Tabitha Blewett and husband Evan, Lyndi Brewer and husband Micah, Christopher Privett and wife Laura, Kendra Privett, Austin Privett and wife Karla, Emily Boecker and husband Paul, Jason Privett and wife Kirsten, and Julianne Jackson and husband Robert; and seven great-grandchildren, Lily, Lotus, Micah, Nathaniel, Zachary, Sadie, and Benjamin; nephew Keith Billingsley and wife Jean, nephew Tom Privett and wife Teresa, niece Darla Dennis and husband Scott, several great nieces and nephews, and many dear and appreciated friends. She is predeceased by beloved family members: husband, Kenneth Privett, father and mother, David Arthur and Ruth Billingsley, brother and sister-in-law Raymond and Mildred Billingsley, and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Pat and Kathy Privett. The family suggests memorials to the Children’s Home of Lubbock and Lubbock Christian University. Please celebrate the life of Frances Merle Privett by visiting www.sandersfuneralhome.com.

Frances Merle Privett

September 30, 1932 - February 17, 2018