Sonoma Kathryn Sibley

Sonoma K. Rudman Sibley was born March 12, 1924 in Bristow, Oklahoma. She was the daughter of Norman William Rudman and Sadie Brown Rudman Truby, deceased. She had one sister, Eunice Bell, deceased. Mrs. Sibley died on Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at her home in Abilene, Texas. Sonoma attended public schools in Breckenridge, Texas where she lived at 1715 West Walker with her family. At four years of age, she won Miss Junior Oklahoma City, June 1929 contest as her beauty and personality were recognized early. She graduated from high school and headed to Austin to the University of Texas in 1943. There, she was a member of the Texas Spirit Organization, was a Top 10 Beauty and Girl of the Month. Sonoma married Lieutenant William Ruck "Dub" Sibley Jr. of Abilene, Texas in July18,1943. She had a large formal wedding in the backyard garden of her family home in Breckenridge, Texas. Married for 68 years, 4 months and 5 days, her husband, Dr. W. R. "Dub" Sibley, preceded her in death by only 55 days. She is survived by her two daughters and one son. She had three grandsons, two granddaughters, one niece, three nephews and four great grandchildren. Dr. and Mrs. Sibley moved to Abilene after World War II. Dr. Sibley had graduated with honors in 1943 from Baylor University, College of Medicine. As they created his private practice of medicine together, Sonoma went to work as his first assistant and set up his office with one cigar box of index cards, one for each patient. They worked together with Jimmie Smoot Henderson for almost 30 years to develop a medical practice that lasted 50 years in Abilene. During that time, Sonoma had many volunteer activities in various organizations. One of her first achievements was to help Shelley and Shirley Smith start the West Texas Rehabilitation Center. Sonoma helped to move and transfer from Bonham Elementary School the first polio patients through the windows to waiting trucks to be delivered to the first physical therapy room at WTRC while her husband was a charter member of the WTRC Board of Directors. Her WTRC khaki uniform dress with the starched white collar and cuffs still hangs in her closet. She was also a member of the Hendrick Medical Center Women's Auxiliary and the Taylor Jones Medical Alliance. She was a member of the Junior League of Abilene, the Fairway Oaks Golf Association and the Episcopal Church of Heavenly Rest. While her husband was the Church's Senior Warden, she served as a member of the Altar Guild, the Flower Guild and volunteered in the Thrift Store. Sonoma is survived by her three children: Sharron Ann Sibley and husband, Gerald Grant Jr. of Fort Worth, TX, Cindy Lou Sibley of Austin, TX and William Ruck "Trey" Sibley III and wife, Sheila, of Dallas, TX. Survivors also include five grandchildren: William Marion (King) Pugh and wife, Stacy of Midlothian, TX; Charles Kyle Pugh and fiancée, Ms. Deborah Michaels of Dallas, TX; Hayley Sayles Pannone of Austin, TX; Heather Sibley Hayward and husband, Dan Hayward of Frisco, TX and Jordan Matthew Sibley of Dallas, TX; and four great grandchildren: William Ryan Pugh and Katherine Lynne Pugh of Midlothian, TX; Sadie Pearl Pannone of Austin, TX and Mason Scott Hayward of Frisco, TX. She is also survived by her niece, Brenda Bell, of Dallas, TX, who was her flower girl in her wedding, Norman Bell and his wife, Carol, of Corinth, TX, Dr. Tom Bell of Norwich, CT and Cowden Bell of Weatherford, TX. Sonoma's grandsons will be pall bearers at the funeral service to be held Monday, November 28 at Church of the Heavenly Rest at 10 A. M. officiated by The Rev. N. Luke Back, Rector. The burial will follow in the family plot in Buffalo Gap Cemetery in Buffalo Gap, TX. Her great grandson, Ryan Pugh, a State champion, will play Amazing Grace on his trumpet as he did for Dr. Sibley's burial. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made either to the West Texas Rehabilitation Center or Hospice of the Big Country, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, TX 79605.