Liz Stottlemyre
Liz Stottlemyre moved home in 1984 to the Permian Basin after earning her degree at The College of the Ozarks then working on her master’s degree. She dedicated the next 39 years, 36 of those years in Andrews, to her community, to students, to her church, to Andrews County Library, and to her family. Liz’s easy laughter, wit, and concern for others spread joy and good will wherever she went.
Elizabeth Zap Stottlemyre was born on April 16, 1954 in Chicago to Reverend Robert and Joyce Zap. They would move to New York, to the Mescalero Apache Reservation, and finally to Andrews, Texas where Bob served as the pastor of Andrews Presbyterian Church, and by this time Liz had six siblings who she dearly adored. When she graduated in 1972 and headed to the Ozarks, she met the love of her life, Danny Stottlemyre where they fostered their talents in speech and theatre, and they married June 2, 1979.
After moving to Andrews, Danny and Liz bought Ingram’s Studio and Liz became Children’s Librarian at Andrews County Library two years later. Thousands of children remember her warm, expressive tales and how she could make a book spring to life in Storytime and how she could pick out just the right book for them to check out and love to read. She was instrumental in helping plan and expand library services, and when the new library opened in 1998, she became assistant director then director in 2002 where she would guide services until her retirement in 2018. Because Liz believed in service and dedicated herself to improving the community and the library, she worked after hours and on weekends to attain her master’s degree in library science from Texas Women’s University in 2009.
Danny and Liz gave countless hours to develop and provide arts and culture in Andrews, and later Seminole. Liz served as president of the Cultural Affairs Committee of Andrews County Chamber of Commerce for over 15 years, they both directed and acted in scores of community productions. Liz worked diligently to promote businesses and community activities over many years as a member of Industrial Foundation, Business and Trade Association, Women’s Division of the Chamber (president), and on the board of the Chamber. She was elected Chamber President in 1998, a tumultuous year when napalm became a national flashpoint due to temporary storage in Andrews County. Liz fielded questions professionally, intelligently, and defended the community to major national (and a few international) newspapers, magazines, and television networks. She was a leader in the community and a leader in Andrews Presbyterian Church where she served as Elder for several decades. A long time Girl Scout, she received the Girl Scouts of the Desert Southwest Woman of Distinction Award in 1996.
Both Liz and Danny fostered development of speech and drama talent in the region by donating hours of their time helping kids from many schools in the area hone their crafts and achieve success in competitive arenas. When Danny felt the calling to teach speech and drama in Seminole, Liz was an invaluable partner in offering suggestions, working with students, and finding selections for students to try. His kids were her kids.
The Stottlemyres returned to Missouri in 2020 to make their retirement home. Liz passed away with Danny by her side on Sunday, November 19 in St. Louis after some lengthy health issues. She is survived by her beloved husband Danny of Rolla, MO; brothers Stephen Zap (Joanne) of Rolla, MO, Greg Zap (Susan) of Austin, TX, and John Zap (Sara) of Andrews; sisters Patrice Zap of Kingdom City, MO, Sylvia Zap of San Angelo, and Lisa Guy (Scott) of Big Spring, TX; nieces Kristen Conard of St. Peters, MO, and Kathryn Zap of Andrews, TX; nephew J.D. Zap of Andrews, TX; great nephews Corbin and Cameron Conard; and children of her heart Kyle Ratliff, Danielle Wright, Collin Phillips, Savanna Winn, and Blayne Childers.
Services will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Seminole at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 30, 2023. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Friends of the Andrews County Library, 109 NW 1st St., Andrews, TX 79714.
