Libbie Manlove was born May 2, 1852, the fourth daughter of John Pemberton and Amanda Hardcastle Manlove. She spent her childhood in Greensborough, a small town inhabited by many of her relatives. Her father was a merchant. For a period of time, Libbie lived with her mother’s sister, Angeline Goldsborough. They developed a close relationship so that this aunt was known as “Grandma” Goldsborough to the Stansbury family.
The Manlove’s were a religious family, quite active in the Episcopal Church. Following her marriage and trip West with Oscar, Libbie was dismayed to find no house of her faith in Chico. She made it a goal to establish an Episcopal mission in her new hometown–achieving success when St. John the Evangelist Church opened its doors.
Mrs. Stansbury’s foremost occupation was the supervision of the domestic routines that were a demand for her large home and busy social life. She enjoyed the role of hostess while a series of Chinese cooks handled the kitchen duties. In her early years, Libbie Stansbury suffered from diabetes, finally passing away on February 20, 1923.