Emmie Leach

Funeral services for Emmie Leach, 92, of Lufkin will be held Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church with Fr. David Faulkner officiating. Interment will follow in Garden of Memories Memorial Park.

Emmie was born June 1, 1932 in Lufkin, Texas and died Tuesday, October 29, 2024 in a local hospice facility.

Emmie was born the daughter and first child of Bess Peavy and R V Holleman. She had one brother, Sonny. Emmie graduated from Lufkin High School in 1948 and from TCU in 1952; and completed course work toward a master’s degree at Stephen F. Austin State University.

In 1952 she married Phillip M. Leach, also of Lufkin, at First Baptist Church. The couple moved to Austin while Phillip was in Law School at UT Austin. In 1959 they moved back to Lufkin, to the house in which Emmie had grown up on Southwood Drive, where she lived until her passing.

While her husband, mother, father, brother, grandparents, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins preceded Emmie in death, she  is survived by her son, Les W. Leach and his wife Christina of Hemphill; her granddaughter, Katie LeeAnn Leach Humphreys and her husband Trace, who live in Fort Worth; and her other son, Phillip, Jr., who lives in Canada.

Emmie was involved in church and community activities throughout her life. After being raised at First Baptist, she and her husband attended First Methodist Church where she held several leadership positions. After she became involved in the Charismatic movement, she attended First Assembly of God for many years. And in her 70’s and 80’s she found a church home at St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church, Lufkin. For 40 years she prayed with the nuns at the Monastery of the Infant Jesus on Lotus Lane.

But Emmie’s most lasting legacy is her example of constant prayer. She was especially committed to praying for healing in herself, her family, and for anybody who asked for her prayerful support. She was immersed in Scripture through her daily prayer and reading. And she tried to spend at least an hour each day in writing her prayers, in Bible Study, silent contemplation, and just “being before” the Lord. She taught her children and family the crucial importance of daily prayer by her words and mostly by her way of living. Following the advice of one of her spiritual mentors, Emmie worked consistently to “put a thought of Jesus into every moment of the day”.

Emmie’s family is grateful to all those whose talent, skill, learning, and ministry made the last years of her life possible and meaningful. The staff of the inpatient Hospice unit at Memorial Hospital, and the staff of Woodland Heights Hospital were each and all caring and supportive during the final weeks and months of her life. Her family prays for God’s blessing on those professionals.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones for Evening Prayers and visitation from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. Friday evening at the Monastery of the Infant Jesus at 1501 Lotus Lane in Lufkin.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.