Sydney Brobst

Sydney J. Brobst of Paoli was born on December 15, 1940 in Borger, Texas to O. L. and Evelyn Victoria (Williamson) Frakes and entered eternal life on Tuesday, December 7, 2010 in Norman, Oklahoma after her two year battle with cancer. Sydney grew up in Borger and graduated from Borger High School. In 1959, Syd was Miss Borger and took part in a parade. Interestingly enough, she rode in the back of a 1959 white Chevy convertible owned by Floyd Brobst who later became her husband. Syd later competed in the Miss Texas pageant . Her talent for the competition was singing and playing the piano. The couple was married on March 11, 1961 in Borger. She attended Frank Phillips Junior College in Borger and completed her degree in secondary education at West Texas State University in Canyon, Texas. She was also certified to teach English, Speech and Drama at the secondary level and later returned in the summers to obtain an elementary education certification. Syd’s teaching career positively affected many lives. She often said, “I can teach a rock to read”. No one left her classroom without learning to read. She used whatever method it took to teach the children to read. What more important gift can a teacher bestow than the ability to read well. She taught at Morse and Pampa, Texas before moving to Oklahoma in 1979 where she taught at Walker and Wynnewood. She returned to teach in El Paso, Texas where she retired from teaching. Syd’s own grandson, Patrick had difficulty in learning to read until Syd went into action, leaving no stone unturned to insure that he learned to read. Each day after completing her teaching duties, she would join her husband, Floyd at the racetrack. Syd helped Floyd by “hot walking” the horses. She was his greatest source of encouragement. They named one of his horses, Edgar Allan Pony, and proceeded to write a book about him. That book was just one of many stories she wrote about their horses. Syd was the light of her family’s life. Her positive, determined and energetic attitude made mole hills out of mountains with regard to the challenges faced by her family, friends, and students. She will be greatly missed. Sydney is survived by: Her husband – Floyd Brobst of the home Her daughter – Deanya Driskill of Pauls Valley Her brother – Dr. Charles Ross Frakes Her Grandchildren – Patrick Driskill and Erica Driskill Funeral services for Sydney J. Brobst are scheduled for Friday, December 10, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. in the Wooster Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Larry Cornforth officiating. Interment will be in Paoli Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Wooster Funeral Home. You may send a condolence to the family at www.woosterfuneralhomes.com

Sydney Brobst

December 15, 1940 - December 7, 2010