Leta Threadgill

Leta Louise Braden Threadgill saw the face of Jesus April 21, 2017. Louise, as she was known to family and friends, was born in Hillsboro, Texas, August 18, 1928, the third child of Lonnie and Lois Meador Braden. Their growing family later moved to Waco, Texas, during the Second World War. Louise graduated from Waco High School in 1946. While she was still 17, she met her future husband, Carl B. Threadgill, a U. S. military veteran having returned from service in Europe. They were married August 2, 1947. Following the birth of their first child, Carleta, it was in 1949 that Louise began working for the Veterans Administration Regional Office at 8th and Franklin in Waco until the birth of their second child, Susan, in 1954. When their youngest, Philip, was born in 1959, Louise resumed her work life outside the home, working first at James Connally Air Force Base, then the 12th Air Force Headquarters, followed by a time at Word Records. She then returned to the VA Regional Office, from which she retired in 1986.

The order of her devotion was to Jesus Christ, her husband and family, her church, and to her community. That devotion was shown in many ways. One example is that Louise was a life- long member of the Church of the Nazarene. In her service to her church and its missions program, Louise was awarded their prestigious Distinguished Service Award. In her service to her family, she became an excellent seamstress, making clothes for all her family, her children (even a wedding dress for daughter, Susan), and grandchildren over many years. She took up the quilting craft, and became quite good at it. The recipients of her quilts even included her great-grandchildren. Their house was always stocked with a huge supply of canned goods, and her pie-making ability is still remembered. Following a bout with breast cancer, Louise became involved with the American Cancer Society. At her passing she was a 26 year cancer survivor. Along the way Louise was awarded for 20 years of service in the Reach to Recovery Program of the American Cancer Society.

Louise was preceded in death by her husband, Carl, her brother, Windol Braden, sisters, Helen Jo Scoggins, Catherine Santhuff, Patricia Dobias, and Nettie Jackson. She is survived by her daughters; Carleta and husband Rick Reichert of Waco; Susan and husband Sam Shreffler of Robinson; and her son, Philip Threadgill and wife, Terri, of Plano. Grandchildren include David Reichert, Jen Brown and husband BJ, Steven Shreffler and wife Melissa, Cameron Threadgill, and Ryan Threadgill and wife Julia. Louise is also survived by five great-grandchildren: Michael Lee, Keith Charles, Julia Grace, Maaike Faith, and Vala Joy Shreffler.

Visitation with the family will be held Friday, April 28, 6:00-8:00pm, at the Pecan Grove Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held Saturday, April 29, at 10:00am, in the Pecan Grove Chapel, Rev. Sam Shreffler officiating. Burial will follow at the Robinson Cemetery. The family suggests that any memorials be made to benefit the American Cancer Society.

As we reflect on this life well-lived, some links are emphasized to us. Louise met the love of her life at age 17, got married at 18, had a baby at 19, and at age 20 lost every worldly good she had in a house fire. And still, as we look back at all that transpired in this life, we are impressed