Sibil Blair Leftwich

Services for Sibil Blair Leftwich, 93, of Lubbock will be 2:00 P.M., Friday, May 17, 2013 at Broadway Church of Christ with Doug Hale, Floyd Stumbo and Tim Talley officiating. Following services, burial will be in the City of Lubbock Cemetery under the direction of Sanders Funeral Home. She died peacefully on Monday, May 13, 2013 at her home in Lubbock. Sibil was born on November 13, 1919, Gainsville, Texas and moved to Witcha Falls, TX in 1924. She later moved with her parents to Tulia, TX in 1929, Silverton, TX in 1933 and then Lubbock in 1936 where she graduated from Lubbock High School. Because her mother firmly believed that all her children should have a career, Sibil received training and worked as a “coturist”. Sibil later graduated Texas Tech with a BS degree in Vocational Home Economics in 1941. Following graduation she taught Home Economics at Wilson, Texas. While at Wilson she developed the states first home economics course for boys. Sibil met her future husband, Marion Wesley Leftwich, while running an errand for her mother to a grocery store he owned. They eloped and married in Abilene July 5, 1942. Sibil and Marion had four children Marion Wesley Leftwich, Jr., Sarah Catherine Leftwich, Steven Richard Leftwich, and Blair Dennis Leftwich. After Marion sold his grocery after 32 years he and Sibil became interested in foster care. Sibil went back to Texas Tech and earned a second BS degree, this time in Social Work. Sibil became state certified and worked as a staff member at Smithlawn Maternity Home as a volunteer supervisor of foster patents. During her time with the program she and Marion kept and were involved in the placement of over 300 babies. Sibil was a long time member of the Broadway Church of Christ where she was involved in a variety of programs. She volunteered as the first dietitian for the newly formed Lubbock Christian School and later Lubbock Christian College. Sibil was busy in a variety of activities from garden clubs to the Lubbock Women's Club where she was one of the founding members. She was also a founding member of the Ragin Cajun, a Special Olympics support program. In later years, along with getting certification to be a food judge at the Panhandle-South Plains Fair (32 years), she became a Master Gardener through the AgriLife Extension Service. Sibil became nationally certified as a Master Gardner and was instrumental in setting up numerous community service projects including community gardens and demonstration sites. She also was involved in establishing the Arboretum at the Lubbock Garden and Arts Center. Sibil voluntered at the Ranching and Heritage Center and was sought after as a speaker during Christmas on the topic of Pioneer Christmas. She was also a volunteer for the Lubbock Food Bank's gardens and orchards. Sibil is survived by her four children, 12 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren. The family will receive friends Thursday night from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. at Sanders Funeral Home.

Sibil Blair Leftwich

November 13, 1919 - May 13, 2013