Frances LaNell "Nell" Falbo

Frances LaNell “Nell” Falbo, 89, of Lubbock, passed away peacefully Friday, February 16, 2024, surrounded by family. She was born in Austin on August 25, 1934, to the late John R. McCullough and Cordelia (Simmons) McCullough.

Following her graduation from Austin High School in 1952, Nell attended the University of Texas at Austin where she met and formed a group of lifelong Christian friends, one of whom was Frank Falbo. Nell loved this tight-knit circle of Texas Exes from the University Ave Church of Christ who shared over 70 years of life together in Christ. Frank and Nell were united in marriage over 68 years ago on July 23, 1955, in Austin.

Nell was a homemaker and adventurer, traveling with family, church youth groups, Girl Scout Troops, and friends across the country and as far away as the Philippines. She was lovingly called Nanny by her large family. In 1985 Nell bought a hot air balloon and named it Middle Age Crazy, logging 80 flights at schools and charitable events. She loved attending MLB Spring Training, carefully coordinating game schedules to maximize her trips, but her favorite team was always the World Series Champion Chicago Cubs. She loved cats, butterflies, and reading. As a volunteer, Nell became known as the Kindergarten Museum Lady at Stewart Elementary School, and her teacher friends were treated to a home-cooked dinner on the first day of school each year. She was a champion for children and education, as evidenced by her lifetime membership in the Texas PTA. Nell was also a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts and was honored in 2007 with the Caprock Council Girl Scout Woman of Distinction Award. Nell was an active member of the Sunset Church of Christ for 53 years.

Those left to honor and cherish her memory include her husband Frank and their 5 children: Francy (Mike) Ogle of  Lubbock, Ray (Janet) Falbo of Lubbock, Della Falbo of  Lubbock, Leah (Ross) Sides of Lubbock, and Richard (Esther) Falbo of Frederick, MD; one brother, Bill Stevenson of Austin; 7 grandchildren:  Amy (Adam) Van Liew, Misty Sides, Melissa (Cyle) Brown, Nikki Savage, Petra Savage, Isabella Falbo, and Luke Falbo; and 6 great-grandchildren: Vaughn Van Liew, Katelyn Van Liew, Isaiah Van Liew, Ariana Van Liew, Emery Martinez and Jacob Seagraves. She was preceded in death by her parents, and siblings: Ruth (Henry) Henninger, Dorothy (Joe) Edmiston, Vernon Stevenson, and Charlie Stevenson.

Visitation for Nell will be from 5 to 7 PM on Thursday, February 29, at Combest Family Funeral Home’s Venue on Broadway, 2202 Broadway, Lubbock, TX.  Funeral services will be at 10 AM on Friday, March 1, at Sunset Church of Christ, 3723 34th Street in Lubbock. Jeff Smith and Cory Burns will be the officiants. Graveside services and interment will follow in Resthaven Memorial Park under the direction of Combest Family Funeral Homes.

Pallbearers will be Ray Falbo, Richard Falbo, Luke Falbo, Adam Van Liew, Mike Ogle and Ross Sides.  Honorary pallbearers will be Vaughn Van Liew and Isaiah Van Liew.

The family wishes to thank our Sunset church family and Enhabit Home Health & Hospice for their care.

The family requests donations in Nell’s memory be made to Christian Homes & Family Services, 1202 Estates Drive, Abilene, TX 79602; the Children’s Home of Lubbock, 4404 Idalou Road, Lubbock, TX 79403; or to the Adventures in Missions program/AIM housing project at Sunset International Bible Institute (SIBI), 3723 34th Street, Lubbock, TX 79410.