Cynthia Ann Love

Cynthia Ann, “Cindy,” Longnecker Love of San Angelo, Texas passed away March 7, 2022. Cindy was born on the Sunday afternoon of November 23rd, 1941, to Cynthia Lenore Carpenter Longnecker and Clarence Longnecker, Jr. in El Paso, Texas.

Clarence soon left the family unit and moved to California. Lenore and Cindy, an only child, moved into Lenore’s family home with Lenore’s parents, Maud and Ellwood Carpenter. She grew up in this home with her mother and grandparents.

Cindy attended Radford School for Girls in El Paso from 1947 to 1959. The following fall, she entered Texas Western College, what we now know as University of Texas at El Paso and began her studies as a secondary English Arts teacher. She then transferred and finished her Bachelor of Arts degree in Language Arts at the University of Texas in 1963. She immediately went to work at El Paso’s Bowie Junior High and started her first of nearly 50 years of educating youth.

One year later, Cindy met a cute red head with a great smile, and a year after that, she married Billy Roy Love June 5th of 1965 in El Paso. They spent their first year of marriage in Roswell, NM and then moved to Anthony, TX so Bill could pursue his degree in Agricultural Education at New Mexico State University. Cindy taught American Literature at Gadsden High School.

On September 27, 1969, Cindy and Bill welcomed their first child, Deborah D’Ann Love Wilbanks in El Paso, TX. Cindy got to be a stay-at-home mom for the first year while Bill finished his degree.

The family of three then moved to Fort Hancock, Texas, where Bill took the position of ag teacher and Cindy taught English. Two years later, they welcomed their second and final child, Justus William Dustin “Dusty” Love on August 4, 1973. Dusty was brought home to the family’s new residence in Sierra Blanca, Texas.

By 1976, both Bill and Cindy were teaching in Sierra Blanca. Bill gave several other careers a try while Cindy stuck with teaching until her “official” retirement in 1999. Bill owned the Hudspeth County Abstract and Title Company, served as the Hudspeth County judge from 1989 to 1994, and ranched with his father.

In 1999, the couple were both retired, the abstract company was sold, and they took an extended trip to Alaska. They returned to Texas and Cindy went back to teaching. The couple decided they would like to travel some more, so this called for a second retirement. They logged many miles and saw many sights. When Cindy decided she would teach yet again, Bill supported her fully.

Finally, in June of 2011, after three retirements and almost 50 years of teaching, Cindy left the classroom for the final time and Bill and Cindy moved to San Angelo, Texas into the wonderful Baptist Retirement Community. Almost immediately, they joined Sierra Vista United Methodist Church. Sierra Vista has since been their loving and inclusive church for the past 11 years. Cindy wanted to express to the members of Sierra Vista that she was so very grateful for the love and community offered to them.

Since the summer of 2019, Cindy rejoiced in having all her children and grandchildren nearby in the San Angelo area. Many celebrations and get togethers were planned and enjoyed by her and her survivors. Her survivors are as followed:

Her loving husband of 57 years, Bill Love of San Angelo

Daughter, D’Ann Wilbanks and spouse, Skeet Wilbanks of Christoval

Son, Dusty Love and spouse, Jenny Love of Christoval

Grandchildren, Tanner Wilbanks, Sage Wilbanks, Reid Love, and Renner Love

She is preceded in death by her parents, Clarence Longnecker and Lenore Carpenter Longnecker.

A memorial service will be held at Sierra Vista United Methodist Church March 16, 2022, at 11 o’clock in the morning.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to may be made to Sierra Vista United Methodist Church building fund.