On Wednesday October 11, 2023, our loving, kind and devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Sibyl O’Banion, went home to be with her Heavenly Father at the wonderful age of Ninety.
She lived the last seventy-one years in Lubbock, Texas. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Max Lynn O’Banion with whom she spent thirty-five incredible years and her parents Thomas Rutherford and Evangeline Hypatia (Tyler) Damron.
Sibyl was the matriarch of the Damron family and is survived by five siblings: three sisters that include; Regina Turner and husband Melford of San Antonio, Texas; Myra Gere of Houston, Texas; and Ann Bookout and husband John Will of Hartley, Texas; two Brothers; Tyler Damron and wife Melanie of Austin, Texas; and Robert Damron and wife Jo of Blanket, Texas; two children that include; a son Scott O’Banion and wife Glee of Lubbock, and daughter Judy Benson of Tempe, Arizona; five grandchildren; Mysti, Heath (wife Kristin), T.J., Holly(husband Matt) and Casey; four great-grandchildren Aulora, Londyn, Paxton and Tate.
Sibyl was born on Friday April 7, 1933, in Brownwood County, Tx. She grew up in Coleman County in the Talpa area as the daughter of a schoolteacher and administrator then later moved to Brown County near Blanket, Texas, where her father owned a dairy. Sibyl attended elementary school in Talpa and high school in Blanket.
At a young age, she began her love of music taking her first piano lessons in Blanket. Due to skipping two grades during elementary school, she graduated at the age of sixteen and left home to attend Southwest Texas State Teachers College in San Marcos, Texas (now Texas State University). She was active in music both in choir and orchestra. She was a Who’s Who, cheerleader and crowned a college Gaillardian (beauty and popularity). It was there that she met the love of her life Max O’Banion. He was a basketball player, and she was a cheerleader. She graduated in 1952 with a bachelor’s degree in music education.
She and Max were married on June 6, 1952. They spent their first year in Sweeny, Texas where she was a teacher and Max was a coach. In 1953, they moved to Lubbock where Max began a long career in education that included teaching, coaching and administration. As a tribute, the Coronado Baseball Field is named in his memory. Sibyl began teaching private piano lessons, a passion she would follow for the next thirty-five years. She was sought after by many and always had a waiting list. She became active in the Lubbock Music club eventually becoming its president. In 1953, Max and Sibyl welcomed a son, Scott, followed by a daughter, Judy in 1958. In April of 1986, she lost her first love when Max passed away. Though saddened, she found a new passion in playing Duplicate Bridge which she began playing almost daily. She also began traveling to tournaments becoming a formidable player and opponent. Over time, she accumulated the points and experience to be a Life Master and reaching the pinnacle of Grand Life Master with the American Contract Bridge League. She continued playing bridge for as long as she lived, even playing online daily against worldwide opponents during covid and until her death on October 11, 2023.
She not only loved her family with all her heart, but they loved her dearly back. She was noted as being incredibly SMART and had also acquired the endearment at a young age of “Stubborn Sibyl”.
Sibyl always looked beautiful and classy every time she walked out the door. She wore bright colors that matched her personality. She will be remembered and missed by many.
Psalm 4:8 “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
Celebration of Life video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Niv1HG4GN3g
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