Verna Joy Leach, of Sherman, Texas, passed away December 11, 2012 at the age of 75. Verna Joy was also known as “Memaw” or “Sister” to her siblings and family. She was born February 16, 1937, in Houston, Texas, to Vernon William and Lula Ladine (Morgan) Duckett. On June 22, 1955, Memaw married her first husband, Gerald Milton Winters, who preceded her in death. She later married Ronnie Leach on May 19, 1983 in Allen, Texas. Memaw grew up in Bryan/College Station, Texas. She was a graduate of Stephen F. Austin High school, where she was voted sweetest in her class. She worked in the lab at Texas A&M while her husband graduated from college. Memaw was a charter member of the Sweet Adelines in Richardson, Texas. She worked in the healthcare field most of her life, until she retired in 2003. Her hobbies included cooking, crocheting, sewing, traveling and entertaining others. Memaw loved playing with her grandchildren; she was a matriarch who meant so much to everyone and lived life to her fullest.
She is survived by her husband, Ronnie Leach of Sherman, Texas; children, Gerald Winters, Jr. of Lampasas, Texas, Melanie DeeAnn Humphrey of Sherman, Texas, Karen Novak and husband Darryl of Van Alstyne, Texas, Douglas Winters of Kansas City, Missouri, Kathy Cosper of Wills Point, Texas, Blyane Leach and wife Monica of Little Elm, Texas; 18 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; brothers, Gary Duckett and wife Dawn of McGregor, Texas and Phil Duckett of Waco, Texas; sister, Susan Jackson of Gatesville, Texas; a host of other loving family and friends.
Memaw is preceded in death by her parents, Vernon and Lula Duckett and first husband, Gerald Milton Winters.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, December 14, 2012, at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Chapel, in Allen, Texas. Interment will follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park, in Allen, Texas. The family will receive friends during a visitation beginning at 5:00 p.m., Thursday evening at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Allen, Texas.