Anna Mae Byrne

Anna Mae Waltermire was born in Okemah, Oklahoma, December 8, 1924, to Elmer R. Waltermire and George Anna (Moore) Waltermire as the youngest of 8 children. She was preceded in death by her parents, 3 infant siblings, who died prior to her birth, one brother, Downey and his wife Faye Waltermire, sisters Bonnie & husband, Guy Valentine, Virginia Lee and husband H.B. Riza, Ruby Dee and husband, Cecil Parker, nephews Cecil A. Parker and Matt Byrne, niece Linda Waltermire Wood, and her godson, Aaron Byrne Hoffman. Anna Mae married Corbin Matson Byrne, August 18, 1956. After celebrating 50 years of marriage and an in-separable love, Corbin died, April 11, 2007. Anna Mae attended school in Shamrock, Texas, until her family moved to Lubbock where she attended her senior year and graduated from Lubbock High, class of 1942. After graduation she attended Draughons Business College which secured for her employment as a secretary for a cotton firm, the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce, the Veterans Administration and a grain firm. In 1953, she began a successful career with First National Bank of Lubbock as a bank teller. Lubbock was a boom town in those years, and banking was an important part of that growth. Always driven to achieve her best with every opportunity, Anna Mae graduated from the Advanced School of Banking at Texas Tech University in 1979. In addition, she earned both the Pre-standard and Standard Certificates in education from the American Institute of Banking. After 35 years of employment at First National Bank, Anna Mae retired in 1988 as Administrative Assistant to the Chairman of the Board and President. During that time, she served as a member of the Board of Governors of the American Institute of Banking and was an active member of the National Association of Bank Women. Anna Mae was known and admired for breaking several “glass ceilings” for women in Lubbock banking. She was a trail blazer and never saw a goal she couldn’t accomplish. Anna Mae enjoyed serving as director of the Women’s division of the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce, was a member of Lubbock Women’s Club and the Christian Women’s Organization. She was involved in various civic activities and fund raising drives for local organizations, including her tireless efforts raising money for the Aaron Byrne Hoffman medical fund. She and Corbin were active members of First Baptist Church of Lubbock, the Anna Class and Downtown Bible class. Anna Mae excelled at playing bridge and enjoyed hosting bridge parties in her home. She was an expert seamstress using Vogue patterns to sew most all of her clothing, and was often invited to model many of her creations. Her skill and perfection were also seen in her enjoyment of cooking. Anna Mae and “Corky” entertained many family and friends skiing and fishing at Lake Kemp, Moon-shine Colony, as well as sharing their cabin in Ruidoso, NM. They enjoyed traveling the United States, Europe and beyond making friends along the way. As Anna Mae would routinely say when recounting memories, “We had fun!” Those left to cherish Anna Mae’s memory include five nieces, nine nephews, two sisters-in-law, Mrs. Beatrice Byrne and Mrs. Mittie Byrne. She is also survived by her family at Young at Heart Assisted Living. Anna Mae’s niece, Charlotte Burt and husband, Larry, offer grateful thanks to Debbie and Ernie LeClear, owners and managers of Young at Heart Assisted Living and their loving staff, Leticia Sanchez, who attended Anna Mae from Accolade Home Health, and Rosa Leal who lovingly provided her hair and nail care. Burial will be Wednesday, November 25, at 3:00 pm, Resthaven Memorial Park. This will be followed next week with a memorial service, Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at 2 pm, in Resthaven’s Abbey Chapel. Donations to Carpenters Church or a charity of your choice are appreciated.

Condolences and online guestbook can be found at www.resthavenfuneralhome.com.