LaDelle Simons Stobbe

LaDelle Stobbe, 92, of Waco, died Wednesday, August 23, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, September 9, 2023 at First Baptist Church, 500 Webster Avenue, Waco, Texas with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. and the memorial service immediately following at 10:30 a.m.

LaDelle Simons Stobbe was born July 16, 1931 in Robinson, Texas on the family farm located on what is now Simon’s Avenue. She and her twin sister LaTrelle were the youngest of nine children. Due to their father’s death, the twins and their mother moved to Waco when LaDelle was 15 years old. They moved next door to a German immigrant family who had a teenage son named Herbert Stobbe. LaDelle and Herbert soon fell in love and were married in 1952 when Herbert returned from the army after WWII. LaDelle and Herbert were married 62 years and had one daughter, JoEllen.

LaDelle graduated from Waco High School where she excelled in choir and mathematics. Her proficiency and interest in math led her to the business world as a career. After high school, LaDelle was the business manager for Marstaller Motors in Waco. She was also a sales representative and sales manager for Avon products for over 40 years. She always said her favorite aspect of this job was the opportunity it gave her to share her Christian faith with all of her customers and sales representatives. LaDelle was also a representative, treasurer, and manager of Germania Insurance for 20 years and served as financial secretary for the Waco/Robinson Lodge of the Sons of Herman for nearly 20 years. Of all of her jobs, her favorite was being a mother to her daughter JoEllen.

LaDelle was active in church throughout her life, singing in the choir, as a soloist for weddings, funerals, and cantatas, and singing duets with her husband Herbert. She loved serving with the children and youth in her church faithfully teaching Sunday school, training union, and Vacation Bible School. She attended Bible Study Fellowship and was an active member of the senior adult ministry at First Baptist Church Waco.

LaDelle was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert Paul Stobbe; parents, Clarence L. Simons and Eula Ellen Simons (Blevins); sisters, Latrelle Carrol, Vaneria Moring, Madge Bordovsky, Anne Stokes, and Fannie Crawford; and brothers, Doss Simons, Clarence P. Simons, and Alen Simons.

LaDelle is survived by her daughter, JoEllen and husband Marvin; grandsons, Thomas Roach and wife Sara, Matthew Roach Taylor and husband Bryant, and Nathan Roach; nieces, Shari Apperson, and JaNelle Grimes and husband Rick; nephew, Scott Apperson and wife Jaki; in-law, friend and housemate, Joan Roach; and many beloved relatives and dear friends.

Special thanks go out to Venina Potter and Christi Meza for their love and care to LaDelle over the past years.