Retha Mae Stanfield Vandivere, 83, of Lubbock, Texas, died September 5, 2016. She was born to Mary L and AV Stanfield in Dawson County, Texas, on December 3, 1933, and grew up in Midway where she was a member of the Midway Baptist Church. She went to school at Sparenburg and later in the Lamesa schools. After a brief time at Texas Tech, she married Keith Roland Vandivere on August 3, 1951, and joined the Methodist Church in Lamesa. After a move to Terry County, she joined and was a long time active member of the First United Methodist Church of Brownfield where she served as president of the UMW, sang in the choir, directed the youth choir, taught Sunday school and was active in many ways. After moving to Lubbock, she joined the First United Methodist of Lubbock where she served on the administrative board and was a member of the Hi Robinson Sunday school class.Retha was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and received the Grand Cross of color for service to the Order of Rainbow for Girls. Retha enjoyed the Garden Club in Brownfield as well as playing the piano, singing, photography, photo printing from her darkroom, golf and reading.Retha always moved without question whenever the need arose and was a devoted and talented farmer’s wife and mother to three children. Everyone always enjoyed her great cooking and there were guests at the table often. She was an excellent seamstress and made many clothes for the family. Retha stayed busy in support of Keith in his farm activities which might include hauling grain, pulling cotton trailers, weighing cotton sacks in the days of hand pulling cotton, moving tractors and equipment from farm to farm, chasing parts, keeping books, all this while raising three wonderful kids. Her skills of organization and service to the family made her the cog in the wheel to keep the family rolling.Retha is survived by her husband of 65 years, Keith Vandivere; her daughters Brenda Lindridge and her husband, Steve, of Pittsburg, California; Keitha Wilson and her husband, Steve, of Georgetown, Texas. She is also survived by her sister Pat Bennett of Abilene, Texas; and her grandchildren Chris Lindridge of Pittsburg, California; Travis Wilson and his wife, Meagan, of Belton, Texas; Kevin Lindridge of Brooklyn, New York; and Bradley Wilson of Round Rock, Texas.Retha was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved son, Darryl Glenn Vandivere. If you prefer to give a donation in lieu of flowers, the family suggests the Friends of Music at the First United Methodist Church of Lubbock or your favorite charity.
