sybil_delaney

Sybil DeLaney

The Hamilton Herald-News 07/20/2000

Sybil Campbell DeLaney, 87 of Lamkin, died July 12, 2000 at her home, the Rafter 4D Ranch
in Lamkin. Services were held July 15 at the Lamkin United Methodist Church with the Rev.
Dean Reed officiating and Barbara Burk, soloist. Burial followed at Gentry's Mill Cemetery in
Gentry's Mill. Mrs. DeLaney was born Christmas Eve, 1912 in Lamkin to Lorenda Sashel
Shockley Campbell and Charles James Campbell, early settlers and ranchers in Comanche
County. She grew up with her parents and sisters on the Rafter C Ranch in Lamkin.

Mrs. Delaney graduated from Southwest Texas State Teacher's College in 1937. After
strategically dropping her books on a handsome classmate, she met and married the same
classmate, Robert DeLaney, on Jan. 4, 1943. This year, the couple celebrated 57 years of
marriage.

Mrs. Delaney taught in Sinton, Batesville, Lamkin, Houston, Guam and Comanche, where
she retired in 1977. She was known far and wide as an outstanding teacher. She loved her
students and they loved her. In her retirement years, nothing pleased her more than to be
visited by a former student and greeted as "Miss Sybil, my favorite and prettiest teacher."

After World War II, Mr. and Mrs. DeLaney settled in Houston and began their careers, she as
a teacher and he as a businessman. She taught many years at Roosevelt Elementary and
then was assigned to a "new and modern" school, Briargrove Elementary.

Her two children, Bobbie Gayle and James Cullen were born in Houston. She was a
member of Reid Memorial United Methodist Church, a charter member of Memorial Drive
United Methodist Church and a lifelong member of Lamkin United Methodist Church.

In 1962, the DeLaneys moved to Guam where Mr. Delaney taught at the College of Guam
and Mrs. DeLaney taught first grade at Anderson Air Force Base. They returned to Texas in
1966 to establish their ranch in Lamkin.

Mrs. Delaney is survived by her devoted and loving husband, her daughter, Bobbie Gayle and
son James Cullen and his wife Linda (Pierson) of Plano. Mrs. DeLaney, better known as
"Mimi" is also survived by her five adoring granddaughters and two great-grandchildren.
Every summer she and Mr. DeLaney took the granddaughters on wild and wonderful
vacations. They ran the gamut from Canada to dude ranches in West Texas, to Mexico, to
riding the rapids. Each of the granddaughters has a favorite tale of an unforgettable summer
adventure.

Her beloved grandchildren are: Amy DeLaney-Hernandez and husband Andy and children
Allegra and Drew of Demming, NM; Jennifer Ellen DeLaney of Portland, Oregon; April Leah
DeLaney of New York, NY; Samantha Ann Whelan of Houston and Emily Sashel Whelan of
Fort Worth.

She is also survived by her wonderful and dear sister, Gayle Love of Lamkin. Gayle has been
the sustaining force for the whole family. They were truly devoted to each other.

Pallbearers were John DeLaney Jr., Mike DeLaney, Andy Grove, Jason Henicke, Cullen
Henicke, Kenneth Hutcherson, Thomas Whelan III, Ron Huff and Andy Hernandez. Honorary
pallbearers were Jessie DeLaney and Benjamin Grove. Memorials may be made to the
Lamkin United Methodist Church c/o Mrs. Ann Wiggington, 400 Sherry Lee, Hamilton, TX
76531.

301 CR 286 Lamkin Community Gustine, Texas 76455

DeLaney's Rafter 4D Ranch
Registered Polled Herefords

Sybil DeLaney