Page 6 - Senior Link Magazine Spring 2021- Online Magazine

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Tonya Gober
Living a Life
of Community
by Julianne Bullock
rowing up on her family’s
ranch in Vega, Texas, a
Gtown with just under
1000 people, is what first taught
Tonya Gober the importance of
community. Since then, she has
been part of many communities
that have led her to her current
home, here in Lubbock.
Mrs. Gober’s community first
changed when her family moved
to the slightly larger town of
Bovina, Texas. “When you’re in
a small school, you’re involved
in everything.” Mrs. Gober
certainly was – playing sports,
cutting a record with her church’s
youth choir, and participating
in her school’s Pep and Future
Homemakers of America Clubs.
It was also at this school where
she met Dale Gober, whom she
married years later.
Mrs. Gober’s community changed
again when she graduated from
Texas Tech University and moved
to Friona, Texas, beginning her
career as an educator at Friona
6 Lubbock Senior Link
Senior
Senior
ISD, teaching home
economics. After
four years, her Using her background in sewing,
district’s superintendent reached Mrs. Gober began working with
out asking if she would teach the Operation Christmas Child, a
new five-year-old kindergarten project of Samaritan’s Purse, an
class. Mrs. Gober was unsure at international relief organization.
first, but after taking the position, Volunteers fill shoeboxes with
she loved it more than she could small toys, school supplies,
have imagined. She taught clothing, and other surprises. The
kindergarten for 11 years before
pursuing her master’s degree shoeboxes are shipped all over
in Educational Administration, the world to children affected by
becoming the curriculum director war, natural disasters, famine,
for her district. and disease. Mrs. Gober’s goal is
to donate 100 boxes, including a
After 30 years of working in lovingly handmade sundress that
education, Mrs. Gober decided to is adjustable to accommodate the
move to Lubbock, working at Texas child’s growth.
Tech ISD as the elementary and Through Word of Hope, a Bible
middle school principal for 13.5 study correspondence course for
years until she retired. prisoners in the US, Mrs. Gober
prints out Bible lessons, ensuring
Even after retirement, Mrs. there are enough for all prisoners
Gober has remained active in the
community through volunteering. who wish to participate.
“There are a million things to do Mrs. Gober also works with Meals
in Lubbock. You just have to assess on Wheels, serving 23 clients. Mrs.
what your love is, what your skills Gober not only delivers meals
are, and where your heart is.”