Leona Mae Box

Leona Box of Hamilton Texas went to be with Jesus on October 26, 2022. Leona was born to Robert and Nora Simpson on October 19, 1923 in Hico, Texas. She had four brothers, RT Simpson, Earl Simpson, Lester Simpson and Gene Simpson who all preceded her in death. Leona met her husband, David Carrol Box while she was working in Ft. Worth Texas when he came home on leave from the Army during World War II. They married on November 8, 1947 and were married for 42 years until David’s passing in 1989. They had two daughters, Carolyn and Donna. Leona loved her community and lived in Hamilton County almost her whole life. She was involved in the Hamilton County Historical Museum, Red Hat Dove Town Divas, Stephenville Travel Club, Madame Alexander Doll Club, Rosie the Riveter Group, and was a member of First Baptist Church. She loved her friends and family, her Church, traveling, and was always up for a shopping trip and a good cold Dr. Pepper. Leona grew up on a farm in Hico, Texas, where the family grew crops, tended to livestock and picked cotton. She graduated from Fairy High School in 1942. Her Daddy moved the family to McGregor Texas where she worked inside the Bluebonnet Ordinance Plant making bombs for the war until 1943. She then moved to Ft. Worth, Texas and began working at Consolidated Vultee Aircraft (Convair) as a Riveter making the B-24 Liberator planes. She worked as a Rosie the Riveter there from 1943-1945. She was very proud of her work during WWII and for doing what it took to support the boys fighting the war overseas. She is survived by two Daughters and their families. Carolyn Dutton and her husband Ron of Amarillo Texas, Donna Seidensticker and her husband Kendall of Abilene Texas. Four Grandchildren-Amber McGarry and her husband Chad of Amarillo, Drew Dutton and his wife Tamara of Denison, Melissa Kelley and her husband Cody of Abilene, Michael Seidensticker and his wife Samantha of Eula. Six Great- Grandchildren, Hunter Dutton, Maddox Dutton, Gentry McGarry, Ainsley McGarry, Seiden Kelley, Kendalyn Seidensticker. She loved her family dearly and her memory and legacy will live in her family’s hearts forever.