On Saturday, December 31, 2023, our mother was escorted by angels safely to heaven where she heard the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Our family was blessed beyond measure to have her for 91 years plus (June 29, 1932-December 31,2023)
Born and raised in Goldthwaite she gained great pleasure in her lifelong connection to her Eagle classmates of 1949. Mother attended Southwest Teacher College in San Marcos where she graduated in 1953 with a bachelor’s degree in education. She started her 29-year teaching career with Houston I.S.D then after two years she taught in Odessa ISD for another two years.
In Odessa, Mother met the love of her life, an oilman (Louis Jack Leech) at a Sunday night church service. They were married for 66 wonderful years. Amoco took them to Farmington, NM where she taught for three years till, she spent six years at home raising her two sons. In 1966 Amoco transferred them to Brownfield where she resumed her teaching career. She taught two years at Wheatley School and 20 years at Oak Grove Elementary. In 1980 she was the recipient of the Muldrow Award (Brownfield Teacher of the Year)
Mother had a love for teaching and music. She taught 5th grade girls Sunday School at First Baptist in Brownfield for 22 years. Her love for music in the church though was her passion. In Goldthwaite she had a good reputation for singing solos at weddings for friends and others in the area. That love for singing and music was her foundation for singing in church choirs at each church they attended for over 50 years.
Our mother was a leader. She loved to entertain at our home and organized family and class reunions. She knew the importance of fellowship with her community and church family. In Brownwood she served as a volunteer at the Brownwood Regional Medical Center. She was volunteer of the month on several occasions and volunteered in the Gift Shop.
Brother Tim Skaggs said it well. “What a blessing Scottie Leech”! “Always in a good mood and brightened everybody’s day”. She loved God and loved her family well”. Mother and Dad loved and appreciated their Coggin Avenue family for almost 30 years.
When asked what her favorite hymn was, she said “I love them all but if I must answer only one it is Amazing Grace. Looking through pictures it was evident that she chose to tell our story from behind the camera and not in front. A notorious precious moment collector back in the 80’s and 90’s and because of mothers’ spiritual gift of hospitality we all have many special memories of Precious Moments.
Scottie is survived by her sons Stan Leech (Carla), Brad Leech (Leslie), Grandchildren Courtney Wells (Casey), Coby Leech, Jordan Patman (Lyle), Kayce Ruffner (Murray) and Great grandchildren Jack Wells, Elle Patman and Peri Patman, as well as many other relatives and countless friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, Jack Leech, parents, Herbert Truman Vaughan, and Alice Cunningham Vaughan and her four siblings: Jerol Daniel, Barbara Land, Herbert Truman Vaughan Jr., and Johnnie Vaughan.
To honor Scottie Vaughan Leech’s memory, we are having a graveside service Saturday, January 13th in Goldthwaite at the Goldthwaite Memorial Cemetery at 10:00 a.m. We are holding a Celebration of Life service (Officiant, Brother Ron Davis) at 2:00 p.m. in Brownwood at the Davis-Morris Funeral Home. We invite anyone who knew her to attend and remember her abundantly lived life.
Pall Bearers: Dale Land, Pat Land, Murray Ruffner, Lyle Patman, Casey Wells, Bobby Joe Hungerford, Tony Issacs
Memorial contribution may be made to the Senior Adult Ministry and Choir, Attention Ron Davis at Coggin Avenue, Brownwood, Texas 76801