Obituary for Mary Dubberley
Mary Elizabeth “Beth” Dubberley, 76, of Leavenworth, died Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, at ANEW Healthcare in Easton, Kan. She was an only child born Oct. 2, 1946, in Colquitt, Ga. to Toby and Dot (Clenney) Carter.
At a young age, she moved with her parents to Quitman, Ga., where she had a very happy childhood growing up on Dunn Road; a place she considered home and brought her family as often as possible. Beth graduated from Brooks County High School in 1965. She was an integral player on the state of Georgia Class B girls basketball championship team her junior year and state runner-up her senior year. A fond memory and accomplishment she treasured and shared with anyone who loved to talk about basketball.
Her family’s move to Quitman was quite fortuitous as she met who was to become the love of her life, Chester Dubberley of Kingsland, Georgia. Their relationship began about 1958 when they met while Chet was visiting cousins who also lived in Quitman. The years that followed, they ran into each other from time-to-time, mainly in the summer months. Finally, fate intervened one last time when they both moved to Fort Benning, Georgia. Beth was a Civil Service employee and Chet was a newly assigned Artillery 2nd Lt.
On November 26, 1967, she decided to not tempt fate again and married 2nd Lt. Chester “Chet” Dubberley at the First Baptist Church in Quitman.
As she and Chet embarked on a career in the Army and traveled/moved extensively, Beth held many jobs in her lifetime, but none as important to her as wife and mother. She spent many years as a homemaker and was a staunch advocate for her family. She followed all her children’s activities intensely. She loved to bowl and spent many nights with family and friends on the lanes; even traveling annually to the national bowling championships to laugh and compete with her treasured bowling ladies. She cherished this time with wonderful friends. She also loved to shop, gamble a little, watch old westerns, watch basketball, and spend time with her family. If you spent time around Beth, her laugh was a recognizable trait and something you couldn’t miss. Her southern drawl was also a notable trait that many took a liking to. One notable was Hank Parker, a well known fishing TV personality, who also speaks with quite a southern drawl. When he would come to Cabela’s in Kansas City, he would ask if “Miss Beth” was working. If she was, he’d look her up. They shared many a “southern” conversation.
Beth is survived by her husband, Chet; sons, Alan (Bridget) and Don; daughters, Laura (Todd) Melton and Anita (Gabe) Garza; sister-in-law, Winnie (Mickey) Dooly; numerous cousins and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Beth’s family would like to extend their sincere thanks and gratitude to the staff at ANEW Healthcare in Easton and Faith Hospice of Topeka for their loving care and support during her illness.
Family and friends whose lives Beth touched are invited to gather at R.L. Leintz Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, for a visitation to reminisce, grieve, support and most importantly, celebrate her life. If you are a league bowler or basketball player, wear your colors. She would want this to be a casual event. No dark colors or ties. A funeral service will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Leavenworth National Cemetery. Following the interment, a luncheon will be hosted by the Rock of Ages Church at 1017 Randolph St. in Leavenworth. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Beth’s name can be made to Rock of Ages Church, Alzheimer’s Disease Research or Faith Hospice.
At a young age, she moved with her parents to Quitman, Ga., where she had a very happy childhood growing up on Dunn Road; a place she considered home and brought her family as often as possible. Beth graduated from Brooks County High School in 1965. She was an integral player on the state of Georgia Class B girls basketball championship team her junior year and state runner-up her senior year. A fond memory and accomplishment she treasured and shared with anyone who loved to talk about basketball.
Her family’s move to Quitman was quite fortuitous as she met who was to become the love of her life, Chester Dubberley of Kingsland, Georgia. Their relationship began about 1958 when they met while Chet was visiting cousins who also lived in Quitman. The years that followed, they ran into each other from time-to-time, mainly in the summer months. Finally, fate intervened one last time when they both moved to Fort Benning, Georgia. Beth was a Civil Service employee and Chet was a newly assigned Artillery 2nd Lt.
On November 26, 1967, she decided to not tempt fate again and married 2nd Lt. Chester “Chet” Dubberley at the First Baptist Church in Quitman.
As she and Chet embarked on a career in the Army and traveled/moved extensively, Beth held many jobs in her lifetime, but none as important to her as wife and mother. She spent many years as a homemaker and was a staunch advocate for her family. She followed all her children’s activities intensely. She loved to bowl and spent many nights with family and friends on the lanes; even traveling annually to the national bowling championships to laugh and compete with her treasured bowling ladies. She cherished this time with wonderful friends. She also loved to shop, gamble a little, watch old westerns, watch basketball, and spend time with her family. If you spent time around Beth, her laugh was a recognizable trait and something you couldn’t miss. Her southern drawl was also a notable trait that many took a liking to. One notable was Hank Parker, a well known fishing TV personality, who also speaks with quite a southern drawl. When he would come to Cabela’s in Kansas City, he would ask if “Miss Beth” was working. If she was, he’d look her up. They shared many a “southern” conversation.
Beth is survived by her husband, Chet; sons, Alan (Bridget) and Don; daughters, Laura (Todd) Melton and Anita (Gabe) Garza; sister-in-law, Winnie (Mickey) Dooly; numerous cousins and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Beth’s family would like to extend their sincere thanks and gratitude to the staff at ANEW Healthcare in Easton and Faith Hospice of Topeka for their loving care and support during her illness.
Family and friends whose lives Beth touched are invited to gather at R.L. Leintz Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, for a visitation to reminisce, grieve, support and most importantly, celebrate her life. If you are a league bowler or basketball player, wear your colors. She would want this to be a casual event. No dark colors or ties. A funeral service will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Leavenworth National Cemetery. Following the interment, a luncheon will be hosted by the Rock of Ages Church at 1017 Randolph St. in Leavenworth. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Beth’s name can be made to Rock of Ages Church, Alzheimer’s Disease Research or Faith Hospice.