Cynthia Beth “Betty” Stubblefield was born to Miller Adam Stubblefield and Grace Irene Baker Stubblefield on January 14, 1940, in Fort Stockton, Texas. Betty passed from this life on December 17, 2025, at “The Springs” on New Hope Road in Leander, Texas. She had struggled with Parkinson’s disease for several years. She was cared for by her devoted daughter Angela Lebo and daughter in law CDR Cherry Lynch, U.S. Navy. The staff at The Springs were careful to give her the kindest attention. She was blessed to have Caregiver Gwen Kinnibrugh, CNA, as her companion and personal caretaker for the last years of her life. She especially loved Emanuel “Manny” Onyegbuazua-Keshi, who is a blessing to all who know him.
Betty was a sixth-generation Texan whose ancestors settled in the Austin Colony and fought for Texas independence at the Alamo and San Jacinto. Her parents were both descendants of pioneering Texas families. Her Williamson County ancestors had all settled in the county by 1885. Her maternal great-grandparents had settled there in 1851, three years after it was created. Her first 15 years in far West Texas were imprinted upon her identity for her entire life. She was always a West Texas Girl. Her baby brother, Billy Ray Stubblefield, knew she had “greasewood and sage” flowing in her blood—- because he has it as well.
Tragically, Betty’s father died from cancer in 1956, four days after her 16th birthday. This resulted in her mother, Grace — aged 45 — relocating from Fort Stockton to Georgetown in 1957 to rear her three children without a father. Grace’s large extended family was here, and she knew her children would flourish in their presence and love. Having successfully reared her children and having seen them grow into successful adulthood, she died in 1993 of a sudden heart attack. Betty’s brother Don Arlie Stubblefield was carried away by the Covid pandemic in October 2021. Daughter Angela and Daughter-in-law Cherry now live with Betty’s memory forever with them. Her baby brother, Billy Ray, survives and mourns her passing.
On to her LIFE….her sparkling personality, quick wit, sarcasm, and beauty always charmed those around her. Though she did not arrive in Georgetown until her Junior and Senior years in high school, she made an immediate impression. She was a leader in the Pep Squad (raising money for Birkelbach Stadium), was crowned the Football Queen, and competed for Miss Williamson County (sponsored by Piggly Wiggly, a source of endless amusement).
Betty went on to Durham Business College where she developed the skills of a legal secretary and was hired by Sneed and Vine, a respected law firm unto this day. She met and fell in love with J. Melvin Lebo, they were married and eventually moved to Houston where they became the proud parents of their beloved daughter, Angela Michelle.
In Houston, Betty assisted with Mel’s Glass making business, “Exacta,” which allowed her to be a stay-at-home Mom. She also became an active member of the Houston Assembly of Delphian Chapters, with her special focus being scholarships for young women. Their motto: “Not What we Have but what we share, for ceasing to share, we cease to Have.”
Betty, Mel, Ang, and many Binswanger Glass friends and family also spent their summers in Port O’Conner, where during the week, Betty captained Mel’s scooter boat through the back bays of the Gulf. Some of Ang’s favorite memories are when she and Betty combed the beach on Matagorda Island, where they collected every type of seashell they could find which changed depending on tides and time of year. They baited crab traps on the way out to the island, collected the crabs on the way home from the day in the Bay, and would have a Sea Food Extravaganza with the Port O’Conner friends and family in the evenings. When Mel was in Port O’Conner during the weekends, he, Betty, and all their Port O’Conner friends would take the Dune Cat on the scooter boat to Matagorda Island which is how Ang learned to drive. Betty often talked fondly about that time in her life and Ang still cherishes her memories of those years and has almost every shell they ever collected. Betty loved both water and snow skiing, hunting, volleyball, sewing, baking, birdwatching, especially hummingbirds, and all animals. She even had a pig named “Ms. Minny,” who would follow her all over the Ranch in Bandera.
Betty and Mel’s home in Katy, Texas, became a hub of activity, especially for Ang and her High School Friends. Betty would say there were many “Shenanigans” that went on in their home while she and Mel were away. Too many to mention and those who participated know who you are! We all know Betty made sure of that!
Some of Ang’s favorite memories are of traveling back and forth to Port O’Conner with their Macaw, Sassy, their cat, Gypsy, and their dog, Girlie. When they traveled, Betty’s “CB Handle” was “Mad Dog,” while Mel’s was “The Pescador.” She also fondly remembers Betty and Mel dancing in the kitchen and local dance halls where they literally “Danced Across Texas.”
After over twenty years of marriage, Mel and Betty divorced, with Betty choosing to move back to her beloved Texas Hill Country, settling in Bandera. She became the voice of the Bandera County Convention and Visitors Center and was affectionately referred to as “Bandera Betty” as she stimulated community volunteerism and philanthropic events. She became the Silver Sage Senior Center Director of Services benefitting the elder community of Bandera and the surrounding area and was an active member of the Ridin’ the River Cowboy Fellowship which embraced the cowboy and Western lifestyle with particular emphasis on individualism, self-sufficiency, and traditional values. After her eventual retirement, she and her special friend, Colby Heyen, were often seen near Hondo at the Quihi Dance Hall, dominating the dance floor.
After suffering a debilitating fall and illness, her family encouraged her return to Central Texas and The Springs Retirement Center. We will wish her a fond farewell with a Graveside service which will be held at the family burial plot at Liberty Hill Cemetery, 16101 Texas 29,Liberty Hill, Texas, 78642, on January 17, 2026, at 2 p.m.