Leta Faye McLemore

Leta Faye McLemore

Funeral Services for Mrs. Leta Faye Peyton McLemore, 88, of Plano, TX, formerly of Monroe, LA, will be 2:00 PM Saturday, August 13, 2022, at First Christian Church in Monroe. Entombment will follow at Mulhearn Memorial Park Mausoleum. Visitation will be from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM Saturday, August 13, 2022, at First Christian Church in Monroe. Arrangements are under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home, Monroe.

Leta Faye Peyton McLemore, formerly of Monroe, LA died peacefully surrounded by family on August 8, 2022, in Plano, TX and went to meet our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was born in Avery, Oklahoma near Stroud on April 4, 1934, to the late Ruby Geneva Laughlin Peyton and Sim Honduras Peyton. She attended Stroud schools until fourth grade when her parents moved to Cushing, OK. Leta graduated as Valedictorian of the Cushing High School Class of 1952 then moved to Oklahoma City (OKC) where she studied at Draughon’s Business School and graduated with her Office Administration degree. After graduation, she worked for 20th Century Fox Studios in OKC where she obtained her Screen Actors Guild card and met several actors and actresses. She later attended Oklahoma State University in Stillwater and worked in the Athletic Department supporting personnel such as the legendary Coach Henry “Hank” Iba. Leta bought a 1957 red Ford Fairlane and then moved to Tulsa where she worked for Blackwell Oil & Gas. Tulsa is where she met her beloved husband, James (Jim) Robert McLemore. They were married on June 29, 1958, in Cushing and established their home in Tulsa where they made many friends. Their two daughters, Carole and Sheila, were born in Tulsa. After a few years, they moved to Monroe, LA when Jim was recruited to work as Plant Comptroller for Olinkraft (now Graphic Packaging). Their son, Brent, was born in Monroe. Leta worked for Norgas as the Office Manager/Administrator for several years and was a valued and respected member of the team. Jim and Leta were happily married for almost 55 years before his passing in 2013.

Leta was predeceased by her parents; husband, Jim; sisters, Treva Mae Peyton and Juanita Probasco; brother, Dr. Marvin Peyton; niece, Pam Christ; and aunt, Wynona Hayward. She is survived by three children, Carole Ann McLemore of Madison, AL; Sheila Jane McLemore McCarty and husband, Mike, of Plano, TX; Brent David McLemore and wife, Sondra, of Cape St. Claire, MD; three beautiful grandchildren, Clementine and Gracie McLemore and Holly Jones Kelly and her husband, Michael, and their children (Leta’s great grandchildren) Collin and Morgan. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Sandra Peyton, wife of Marvin, and several beloved nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and cousins.

Faith and Jesus were close to her heart, and she was a long-time member of First Christian Church (FCC) in Monroe. She served as an Elder, President of the Christian Women’s Fellowship group, and enjoyed singing in the choir. Seeing a need to reach out to newcomers to FCC, she started the Angel Ministry and would bake each person an angel food cake to let them know they were loved and welcomed into the church family. She participated in the Grace Place Ministry by baking cakes and serving meals to the underprivileged and other outreach activities such as providing shelter for families. Leta loved to sew fashionable clothes for herself and family. She was a member of the Garden Club and enjoyed playing bridge. She taught herself to paint at an extraordinary level in the 8th grade and gave her children some of her most beautiful paintings they will cherish forever. Leta had a passion for writing and wrote some of the most eloquent poems. She presented individual loved ones with their own framed keepsake using the letters of their name to describe their special qualities. Most of all, she adored Jim, lovingly raised her children, and assisted all of them however she could.

Leta and Jim loved to visit their children, extended family members, and friends. They enjoyed fishing, camping, and traveling to see God’s creations in Colorado, Seattle, Vancouver British Columbia, Alaska, the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, San Francisco, Napa Valley, Outer Banks, NC, Savannah, GA, the Gulf Coast, the Bahamas, and Hawaii, just to name a few, always bringing back with them treasured memories. Leta, Jim, and family members were also able to witness two NASA Space Shuttle launches in the VIP area at Kennedy Space Center. One of Leta’s favorite stories to tell was when she and Jim went to Hollywood, CA, and dined at The Cocoanut Grove in The Ambassador Hotel. Much to their surprise, they had the fortunate opportunity to be seated next to the “Rat Pack” (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop) and enjoyed dinner, dancing, and rubbing elbows with some of the most famous people at the time including Robert Stack.

Leta loved people and made friends easily. She often checked in on neighbors and brought them homemade cookies or other treats. Leta loved the Lord Jesus Christ with all her heart and is resting comfortably in His arms. She was the best and sweetest Mom, MeMaw, Great MeMaw, Sister, Aunt, and Niece, always putting others first. She taught us to be strong yet compassionate, respectful, and brave even in the face of adversities. Most of all, Leta taught us about love and faithfulness in God and devotion to Christ which is our greatest treasure. Her family will miss her tremendously – her hugs, soft but strong hands, her beautiful smoky blue eyes, her special notes and letters, and “I Love Yous.” They take comfort in knowing she is at peace now and will be reunited with her and all our loved ones in a glorious celebration one day.

Pallbearers are Mike Daron, Merl Dickson, John Foster, Boyd Padgett, Cole Padgett, and Carlos Somoza. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to First Christian Church 3400 Forsythe Avenue, Monroe, LA 71201 or Suncreek United Methodist Church 1517 W. McDermott Drive, Allen, TX 75013.

The church will stream her service via Facebook Live.

Online registry/condolences/obituary: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.com Mulhearn Funeral Home Monroe, Louisiana.