Florence Alice (Arney) Sibley

Florence Alice Arney was born on 07/18/1929 in Marlin, Texas, the beloved only child of John Marion Arney and Tillie Kathryn Bohn Arney. On Sunday, 05/23/2021, her daughter was holding her hand when she passed from her earthly journey into God’s Heavenly realm at the age of 91.

Born on the cusp of the Great Depression, Flo, as she was affectionately known, grew up in Marlin, TX, and lived a happy life surrounded by loving parents and extended family. She graduated from Marlin High School in 1946, and travelled by train to Denton, TX, to attend Texas State College for Women (TSCW), now Texas Woman’s University, sister school of Texas A & M at the time. She graduated in 1949.

Flo met her life-long love, John E. Sibley, at a Falls County ‘social’ on a Corps Trip to Texas A & M where he was a student. After graduation, they married on 07/24/1949 at the Little Chapel in the Woods on the campus of Texas Woman’s University. They lived near Beaumont, TX, in Bismarck, N.D., and in Lamar and Fort Collins, CO, where John completed his Master’s Degree at Colorado State University, before moving to Iowa Park, TX, in 1954. They were educators and intended to stay in Iowa Park for only a semester, but made their home there for over 40 years. Flo had the first private Kindergarten in Iowa Park and then taught first grade students at Kidwell Elementary School in Iowa Park. In the 1960s & ‘70s, she began taking graduate coursework at Midwestern State University and Texas Woman’s University. She earned a Master’s Degree in Speech Pathology and Special Education, and became a certified Speech Therapist. With continued coursework, she became a registered Educational Diagnostician and a Special Education Supervisor. She worked for many years for Iowa Park CISD, West Wichita County Special Education Co-operative, and Region IX Education Service Center where she was greatly respected for her knowledge, skills, and leadership qualities. Even with a busy career, she was dedicated to maintaining a lovely home, supporting her husband and family, and nurturing their children, Stephen and Sylvia, in their education and activities. The family was active in First United Methodist Church in Iowa Park, and in a number of community organizations, and had many dear friendships in the Wichita Falls area.

Flo and John retired to Nacogdoches in late 1995. Sadly, he soon became ill and passed away in March, 1998. They were members of Grace Bible Church where Flo was dedicated to women’s ministry. She was a faithful member and leader in Bible Study Fellowship and numerous other Bible studies, and was a long-term member of a Tuesday morning mission-focused prayer group. When health permitted, she enjoyed evening worship services at Bethlehem Mission.

Flo was dedicated to serving others and worked as a Volunteer at Nacogdoches Medical Center for 12 years. She volunteered at Love, Inc., and Solid Foundation, and was a faithful supporter of numerous charitable organizations. She was a member of the Nacogdoches Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) through her paternal Arney-McCarver lineage. She was a member of the Old South Garden Club and a docent at the Old University Building. Flo was an avid fan of all Texas A & M sports, and rarely missed a televised football, basketball or baseball game. She knew an impressive repertoire of sports’ statistics, among other trivia.

Flo loved her family and friends, and was a joy to be around. She was fun and quick-witted. She was a wonderful cook and gracious hostess, and enjoyed inviting family and friends for delicious meals, especially Sunday lunches. She was known for her fabulous peanut butter fudge and other recipes that she lovingly prepared and showered on friends and loved ones. She loved holidays, especially Christmas, and delighted in decorating her home for every occasion throughout the year. She was always thinking of some special kindness she could do for others.

Flo asked to be remembered with “love and laughter”, and she leaves to cherish happy memories her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren: son and daughter-in-law, Stephen and Debbie Sibley, and their sons, Stuart Sibley and Andrew Sibley, of Fort Worth; daughter and son-in-law, Drs. Sylvia and Tom Middlebrook, Nacogdoches, and their children and grandchildren: Dr. Emily Middlebrook Robinson and Zach Robinson, and children, Peter and John Loren (Jack), of Dexter, Michigan; Hollis (Holli) Middlebrook Smith and Brian Smith, and children, Jonah Middlebrook and Ian Smith, of Melissa, TX; Ryan and Anna Middlebrook and children, Kilsyth, Arulai, and Olivet, of Nacogdoches; Dr. Thomas Middlebrook and Katie Middlebrook, and children, Eden and Lucy, of Redding, CA; and Grayson and Summer Middlebrook, and children, Keiran and Sophie, of Nacogdoches.

Flo resided at the Arbor Assisted Living Facility for the past several years due to health concerns. The family expresses gratitude to the staff and caregivers at the Arbor, to Dr. Mark Cline and to Erin Sommerlatte, P.A., and to the caring staff of Hospice of East Texas during the last six months of her remarkable life.

Flo lived a happy, productive, active, and fulfilling life, and was an inspiration to many. She loved well and was well-loved. Her faith in God, her love for family and friends, her cheerful outlook, joyful spirit, appreciation for scripture, hymns, life-long learning and beauty, her sense of humor, and thoughtfulness, generosity, and graciousness will be a blessing to others for generations to come. Memorials in Flo’s memory can be made to KAVX radio, Grace Bible Church, Bethlehem Mission, or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are through Cason-Monk-Metcalf Funeral Home with entombment at Sunset Memorial Park: Visitation is at 2:00 PM Saturday, 05/29/2021, at Cason-Monk-Metcalf Chapel followed by funeral service at 2:30 PM. Reverend Brent Bullard, Grace Bible Church, will be officiating.