LEATHA ODELL COX STEADMAN

Leatha Odell Cox Steadman went to be with her Lord on Tuesday, October 20, 2009, at Regency House in San Angelo, Texas. She was born February 25, 1917 near Lawton, Oklahoma, to William Hedge and Lou Ella Yoes Cox. The family moved to the Wall community when she was 12. She graduated from Wall High School and went to work in San Angelo. Odell married William Hess Steadman in San Angelo on August 5, 1939 and had 25 good years together before his death in 1964. They had 2 children, Mattie Lou Steadman and Melvin Irvin Steadman. She was a homemaker and then worked for Alco Footwear for 13 years, Mitsubishi Aircraft a few years, M. L. Leddy a few years, Lee Junior High School a few years, and Ethicon for over 20 years. After retirement in 1990, she enjoyed going to the Miles Senior Citizens Center, going bowling, and playing 42 dominoes with many friends. She was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church while living in San Angelo and joined First Baptist Church of Miles after moving near Miles in 1975. In 2006 she moved to Regency House and then Rio Concho Terrace until July 2009 when she moved back to Regency House. Odell was a member of the Ethicon Retirees organization and a member of Bloys Camp Meeting Association since 1948. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband "Bill"; daughter Mattie Lou in 1944; brothers William Harvey, Melvin Lawrence, and William Geral Cox; sister, Oletha Fay Weise; and several nieces and nephews. Odell is survived by her son, Melvin I. Steadman and wife Brenda, of Miles; grandson Charles Ray Steadman and wife Denice of Fort Worth; granddaughter Christine Rae Steadman of Fort Worth; brothers George Maywood Cox and wife Pat of Garland, TX, James Leonard Cox and wife Margaret of Delaware; sister Estelene Kennedy of Odessa, TX; sister-in-laws Maxine Cox of San Angelo, TX and Dorothy Cox of Comanche, TX. Service will be 2:00 PM Friday October 23, 2009 at Robert Massie Funeral Home Chapel led by the Rev. Eddie Tingle, and graveside service will follow afterward at Fairmount Cemetery, San Angelo. Nephews Wayne Kennedy, Geral Cox, and Dwayne Weise and great¬-nephews Allen Cox, Dale Weise and Ricky Weise will be pallbearers. Memorials may be made to Miles Opera House or First Baptist Church of Miles. The family thanks Lighthouse Hospice staff and Regency House staff for the loving care.