Anna Lee Ripkowski Campbell, age 93, of Dayton, Texas, passed away peacefully surrounded by family.
Anna Lee was born on Sept. 8, 1932, in New Waverly, Texas, to Stash Ripkowski and Mattie Olbrych Ripkowski. She was the fifteenth of sixteen children, growing up in a large, close-knit family that shaped her lifelong devotion to faith, service, and community.
She graduated from Dayton High School in 1950 and began her working career with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, where she was employed for ten years. On June 9, 1951, Anna Lee married Kenneth Campbell, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Liberty, Texas. During Kenneth’s service in the United States Navy, the couple traveled for four years before returning to Dayton.
Anna Lee continued her education at Lee College and later dedicated 32 years of service to Dayton Independent School District. Her commitment to education extended beyond her career, as she served as Chairman of Teachers and was an active member of the Future Homemakers of America.
A devoted member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Anna Lee served faithfully on the St. Joseph Altar Guild and the Church Education Board. She was also a member of Lambda Alpha Sigma, served on the board of Liberty County Aging, volunteered at the St. Joseph’s Church food bank, and was Chaplain of the VFW Nolan Pickett Post 5621 Auxiliary.
In her free time, Anna Lee loved to read, play cards, and follow sports—especially cheering on the Texas Longhorns. She also found great joy in tending to her plants and flowers.
Anna Lee was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Virginia Carter, Kathryn Machala, and Pearline Tilton; and her brothers, Bernie, Felix, Herman, August, Bill, Alex, Raymond, Franklin, Leon, Stanley, John, and Mike.
She is survived by her son, Ken Campbell and wife Belinda; her daughter, Judy Hanson and husband Jerry; her grandchildren, Michael Hanson and wife Kellye, Leah Hill and husband Nathan, and Tiffani Waldrip; her great-grandchildren, Tailey, Emberleigh, Kaben, Kate, Sterling, and Ainsley; her sisters-in-law, Mary Jane Ripkowski, Margie Ripkowski, and Helen Ripkowski; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and a host of dear friends.
A visitation will be held on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Pace-Stancil Funeral Home in Dayton. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Palms Memorial Park in Dayton.
Pallbearers will be Randy Ripkowski, Steven Ripkowski, Gary Ripkowski, Robert Ripkowski, David Ripkowski, John Paul Machala, and Larry Hanson. Honorary Pallbearers are John Ripkowski, Franklin Ripkowski, James Ripkowski, Alan Boles, Bubba Richter, and Jay Alexander.