Aletha "Gay" West

Gay came into this world February 13, 1938 to proud parents Thaddeus and Francis McLendon.

She was the youngest of 5 siblings.

She met the love of her life in Wichita Falls in 1952. Delbert was stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base, and they were attending the same church. She said on several occasions when she first saw him, that she knew she was going to marry him. She even wrote on some of the old photos that she was trying to catch a man! She was just 14 yrs. old when they started dating. A year later at the age of 15 they were joined in matrimony.

They moved to Lubbock in 1954. Delbert was then stationed at Reese Air Force Base. Gay loved to sing hymns in the church choir. She began leading the worship service while she was in her late teens and continued to do so for many years. She served for many years as the coordinator for women’s missionary projects at University Assembly of God.

Gay was a true worshipper and prayer warrior for her entire life. Even as dementia began to take hold of her life, she would still sit and worship and sing. She had a beautiful smile and laugh that would light up the room.

She was a loving and nurturing mother to her children, Randy, Ricky and Teresa.

When Delbert started his landscaping business in 1962. She turned into a receptionist and secretary setting up his appointments to bid jobs.

Her passion in life was loving and helping people, she never missed an opportunity to worship or serve with other believers. She and Delbert were valued members of several churches. They were active as elders, as well as children and youth ministry volunteers. For many years they lead the bus outreach at Cathedral of Praise and the Bridge of Lubbock. Thousands of kids called her Grandma.

Her grandchildren were blessed to have a loving and caring grandmother who would do anything or go anywhere that they needed her. Significantly spoiling them when at all possible, mostly when Grandpa was on a need to know basis only.

Later, she volunteered several hours a week to care for 6 elderly residents at Promiseland Assisted Living. She became a permanent resident of Promiseland Assisted Living 4 years ago and lived there until she passed away. She loved the caregivers that took care of her and was always smiling, laughing and singing.

Her life was spent loving and serving others. Whether as a Mom, a Grandma, a worship leader, prayer partner, or Bible study leader. She simply loved and loved to share Christ with whoever would listen.

Her only earthly downfall according to her husband Delbert was shopping. Most of which was done at Mervyn’s. Usually not for herself but often for others. However, Delbert used to say, “that her car was so trained it could drive itself to Mervyn’s.”

Gay left this life, January 18, 2023. She was preceded in death by her parents and all her siblings and their spouses. She is survived by: son; Randy West, son and daughter-in-law, Ricky West and Lynette West, daughter and son-in-law, Teresa and Gary Scoggins; grandchildren: Shane West, Tyler and wife Katie West, Landon Scoggins, Amber and husband Michael Cano, Lathan Scoggins, Megan West;great-grandchildren: Maxwell Cano, Amos Cano, Harrison West, Avery West, Addison West.

The family would like to thank all the caregivers at Promiseland Assisted Living and Chloe with Hospice of Lubbock for the love and care that you gave our mother.

Please visit the online guest book to share memories and words of comfort to the family.