Helen Ann Becknell McCabe-Way
Helen Ann Becknell McCabe-Way was born September 5, 1939, in San Angelo, Texas, to Marjorie Ritter Becknell and Howard Stacy Becknell. She grew up in several small towns in West Texas and in 1956 graduated from Reagan County High School in Big Lake. She attended San Angelo Jr. College for one year. On June 27, 1957, she married Douglas Truitt McCabe from Colorado City, Texas, and in August 1957 they moved to Andrews, Texas. Ann and Truitt had four sons: Mike, Terry, Jerry, and Todd. She began working for Atlantic Richfield after the boys started school and worked there for ten years, resigning so that she could return to school and become a teacher. She continued going to school and teaching until she had completed her Master’s in Reading and Administration, and obtained her Mid-Management and Superintendent’s certification, all from UT Permian Basin. Ann taught for eight years, became the first woman principal in Andrews ISD, and then served as Director of Personnel. Truitt passed away in June 1984. After living in Andrews for 37 years, Ann moved to Snyder, Texas, in July 1994 to serve as Assistant Superintendent for Snyder ISD. In July 1997, she moved to Midland to become Director of the Alternative Teacher Certification Program at Region XVIII Education Service Center, retiring in 2002. During her 23 years in education, Ann was a member/ officer in numerous educational organizations.
While in Andrews, Ann served on the boards of: The Andrews Chamber of Commerce, Women’s Division of Chamber of Commerce, Andrews’ Desk and Derrick, United Way, and Lambda Nu Sorority. She was also a director of the First National Bank of Andrews. Ann taught Sunday school, and served on the board at First United Methodist Church. In Snyder, she served on the board of the Snyder Chamber of Commerce and the Snyder Senior Center.
Ann married Ralph Lacy Way on February 28, 1998, at First United Methodist Church of Midland. They share a family of Ann’s four sons, Ralph’s five daughters, and 23 grandchildren. The McCabe children are Michael Truitt McCabe, wife Diana, son Dr. Jacob Truitt McCabe, wife Cassey, their daughters, Leddy Ann and Lainey Jane and son Cody Michael McCabe (Chloe Robbins), of San Angelo, Texas; Douglas Terry McCabe, wife Anna, sons Douglas Cooper McCabe and Parker Terry Mc-Cabe of Trophy Club, Texas; John Todd Mc-Cabe of Galveston, Texas; the late Dr. Howard Jerry McCabe’s children Maci Ann McCabe and Vance Todd McCabe of Lubbock, Texas; daughter-in-law Yvette and son Shea Banister (Cheyene) of Lubbock, Texas.
The Way children are Karen Davis, husband Rick, of Midland, Texas, children Jordan Davis (Sara), Taylor King (Thomas), and Mills Viehman (Andy); Karol Ann Eads, husband Rusty, of Midland, Texas, their children Emily Eads, Hillary Hubbard (Christopher), Hayden Eads (Erin) and Holt Eads; Katheryn Jackson, husband Rick, of Dallas, Texas, children Will Jackson, Anna Jackson, and Maggie Jackson; Kristi Jones, husband Rob, of Coppell, Texas, children Tyler Jones (Lindy), Daniel Jones (fiancée Ariel) and Clayton Jones; Kimberly Montgomery, husband Ben, of Coppell, Texas, children Mabry Montgomery, Webb Montgomery and Riggs Montgomery.
Ann’s children, grandchildren, and 13 greatgrandchildren all know how loved and cherished they are by “Annie” and “Granddad” Ralph, as they generously celebrated Christmases and birthdays with them. Each grandchild was always remembered with a Halloween card, Valentine’s card, and a “summer gift”.
Ann’s family members that have preceded her in death are her parents; first husband, Truitt McCabe; son, Dr. Jerry McCabe; father-in-law, Victor Truitt McCabe; brother, H. T. “Sonny” Becknell, and brotherin-law Dr. T. Karman Weatherby.
Other family members remaining to cherish her memory are sister, Carolyn Becknell Weatherby of San Angelo, Texas, and her children Tim Weatherby (Claire), Jay Weatherby (Jana), Amy Hendrick (Cal), and Kristin Valicek (Ed); nieces Kim Bundy (Scott), Brandi Ellis, Margo Gooding, Stacey Asbill (Brandon), Marjorie Maloney (Paul); sister-in-law Vicki Mc-Cabe, and sons Tye Love and Wade Love; as well as numerous great nieces, great nephews, and cousins.
Pallbearers will be grandsons Dr. Jake Mc-Cabe, Cody McCabe, Cooper McCabe, Parker Mc-Cabe, and life-long family friends, Trey Culp and Kippy Culp.
Honorary Pallbearers will be the Way family grandsons, Jordan Davis, Hayden Eads, Holt Eads, Will Jackson, Tyler Jones, Daniel Jones, Clayton Jones, Webb Montgomery and Riggs Montgomery.
The family would like to thank Lucy Gutierrez, Tammy Robby, Jay Ceesay, and Abbigail Navarette for the support, compassion and care shown to Ann over the past 18 months, and as they continue to care for Ralph.
Funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 24, 2021 at 10:00AM at First United Methodist Church, Midland, TX. Graveside service will be held on Thursday, June 24, 2021 at 2:00PM at Andrews County Cemetery in Andrews, Texas.
To honor Ann’s memory, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, the H. Jerry McCabe, MD School of Medicine Scholarship Endowment at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at 3601 4th Street, Lubbock, Texas 79430 (Cyndy Morris 806-577-3868) or online at: Make a Gift https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1422/m20/theme1/interior-2.aspx?sid=142 2&gid=1002&pgid=3146 &cid=8288&dids=223 or any other charity of your choosing.
Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com.
