Leilan E. Gooch

Leilan Mayes Gooch, known to her many friends as Lee, went home to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on May 6, 2012, in Hendrick Hospice Care. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 9, 2012, at First Baptist Church Sanctuary officiated by Dr. Phillip L. Christopher, Rev. Palmer McCown, and Rev. Todd Wilson. Burial will follow in Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories Cemetery under the direction of Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory St. The family will receive friends at a visitation from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Born on January 2, 1919 in Stella, Oklahoma, Lee was a 1937 graduate of Norman High School, and she was a 1941 graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education. "Go Sooners!"

In using her degree, Lee served Abilene's First Baptist Church as a member of Sanctuary Choir, Majestic Sounds Senior Adult Choir, director of Cherub Choir, accompanist for children's choirs, Adult I, and Lightbearers Sunday School departments. Lee also taught public school music and private piano lessons. During her long and productive life, Lee managed the campus bookstore at McMurry University, retiring in 1984. She was a member of the Abilene Woman's Club.

Lee met her future husband, Air Force Captain Norman D. Gooch, Sr., in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They married on September 10, 1943, at First Baptist Church, in Abilene.

She was preceded in death by Norman, her husband of 64 years; her parents, Elisabeth (Butler) and James Leonard Mayes; six brothers; and two sisters.

Survivors include Lee and Norman's children, Norman Gooch, Jr. (Jenny), of Lubbock, Don Gooch (Patti) of Waco, Lee Ann Pittard (Gary) of Tyler, and Mary Davis (Alan) of Abilene; grandchildren, John Gooch of Plano, Rob Gooch of Lubbock, Katy Gooch of Lubbock, Amy Wormsbaker (Shayne) of Keller, Aaron Pittard (Jennifer) of San Antonio, Donna Powers (Jay) of Waco, David Gooch (Kimberly) of Waco, Linda Hewing (Eric) of Dallas, Steve Gooch (Sarah) of Lubbock, Rebecca Hunt (Lex) of Abilene and Catherine Claire Davis of Abilene; great-grandchildren, Ashtyn and Abby Wormsbaker of Keller, James, Thomas, and Bethany Pittard of San Antonio, Morgan, Huston, and Camryn Powers of Waco, Kylie and Mayes Gooch of Waco, Maylin Hewing of Dallas, and Caroline Gooch of Lubbock.

The Gooch, Davis, and Pittard families would like to express our sincere gratitude to Dr. Will Shudde, Hendrick Hospice Care, Wisteria Place Assisted Living, the Lightbearers Sunday School Class, and Melba Boozer.

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Music Ministry, 1333 N. 3rd St., Abilene, Texas.