Madelyn Catherine Young Leath

She was born August 29, 1930, in Dallas TX to William Gus Young and Maud Lena Stanley Young, both members of Pioneer Families in Winnsboro, Texas in Wood County. She went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 26, 2016. Madelyn grep up in Winnsboro from age 3 and graduated in 1948 from Pickton High School. She received her B.S. Degree, and her M.S. Degree from East Texas State University Commerce (Now Texas A&M Commerce). She taught for Pine Tree Independent School District as an English Teacher for many years. Being a teacher fulfilled one of her dreams of beginning in second grade under the guidance and direction of her teacher Mrs. Pauline Hayden. Teaching seventh graders was more of a “calling” than a job. She received such a blessing from having a small part in helping to shape her student’s lives. Through the years after her retirement in 1988, she has been able to keep up with many of her students. She married Oscar Leath, Jr. in the Tabernacle Baptist Church at Pickton, TX on January 27, 1951. Oscar was in the Air Force and stationed at Brooks Force Base in San Antonio, TX. She had her first job with American Hospital and Life Insurance Company in San Antonio. She had many interests and hobbies including Love for Music, Oil and China Painting, Genealogy, Entertaining, and Travel. She also loved being a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. Madelyn was a Former Member of Greggton First Baptist Church and said she and Oscar “grew up in the Lord’s work” under their friend and Pastor James Dixon and friend and mentor Grady L. Coates. She served as Sunday School Teacher for Junior High Girls and Later for Adult Women. She also served on many committees. She is currently a member of Oakland heights Baptist church where she has served as Lady’s Sunday School Class Teacher, and on many committees. She is a member of the Grace Class. Survivors include her daughter, Karen Anne Leath Sewell, son-in-law Gene A. Sewell and grandson Samuel Alan Sewell and wife Meagen and great-granddaughter, Jenna Karen of Gladewater; granddaughter Chelsea Katherine Leath Brewer, husband William Bryant Brewer and great-grandson Brannon Benjamin Brewer of Virginia; her sister Evelyn Henderson of Forney; brother and sister-in-law Joe and Patty Young of Mount Vernon; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Robert and Mary Jo Leath of Longview; former daughter-in-law and friend Mary Bell of Virginia; and a number of nephews and nieces and their children. She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Oscar Leath, Jr. in 2007; son David Alan Leath in 2006, parents, paternal grandparents William O. and Margaret Catherine Young; maternal grandparents James Pinkney and Mary Louella Lovelady Stanley of Winnsboro, TX. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 30, 2016 beginning at 12pm at Oakland Heights Baptist Church with Dr. Rick Webb and Dr. John Hatch officiating under the direction of Rader Funeral Home of Longview. Pallbearers for the service include Derrell Murphy, Dayne Young, Rev. Johnnie Henderson, Jr., Samuel Sewell, Dr. Mike Leath, Bob Morris, Bruce Huffman, Maurice Cook, and William Brewer. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, or the Salvation Army.

Madelyn Catherine Young Leath

August 29, 1930 - June 26, 2016