Barbara Petty

Barbara Petty of Canyon, Texas, passed away peacefully on December 7, 2025 at the age of 76. A memorial service honoring her legacy will be held on Friday, December 12, 2025 at 10:00 am at the First Methodist Church of Canyon with Rev. Matt Wolfington officiating. Arrangements and services have been entrusted to Brooks Funeral Directors of Canyon.

Barbara was born August 19, 1949, in Lubbock, Texas. She was a graduate of Littlefield High School and earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Texas Tech University and WTAMU. After 25 years she retired from WTAMU, where she served her last 11 years as Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Barbara Petty Professorship of Business Communication was established in 2023 to honor her dedication to WTAMU.

Barbara was known for her elegance and poise, reflected not only in her appearance but also in her character. She was a member of the First Methodist Church of Canyon and loved her Searchers Sunday School Class. Barbara held leadership roles as former president of the Canyon Lions Club and the Zeta Tau Alpha and Beta Sigma Phi sororities, and she was also active on the WTAMU Council of Women. Barbara and Arlie were avid supporters of WTAMU athletics.

Barbara is preceded in death by her son, Steve Steffey, her father, Lloyd Lust, and two sisters, Marilyn Vann & Linda Runyan.

Survivors include her husband, Arlie Petty of Canyon; four daughters, Leslie Coffman and husband, Dave of Erie, CO, Kristi LaFleur and husband, Patrick of Lubbock, TX, Carol Lathem and husband, Doug of Dalhart, TX, and Carla Wooten and husband, Jason of Dimmitt, TX; six granddaughters; two grandsons; two great-grandsons; her mother, Louise Lust of Lubbock, TX; brother, Jeff Lust of Mount Vernon, TX; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Barbara established the Steve W. Steffey Scholarship in memory of her son, providing ongoing financial support to WT students. In remembrance of Barbara, the family suggests memorials be made to his scholarship: WTAMU, Attn: Steve Steffey Scholarship, Box 60766, Canyon, TX 79016 or online at www.wtamu.edu/give.