Lennie Fay Akins Todd

Lennie Fay Todd of Denison passed away on January 15, 2013, joining her heavenly father after a long and courageous fight with Parkinson’s disease and numerous other medical challenges.

Fay was born on August 25, 1932 near Sulphur Bluff, Hopkins County, Texas, the second of four children born to Clyde and Mossie Akins. She graduated from Sulphur Bluff High School in 1949 and from East Texas State University in 1952. After graduation she began her career as a Home Economics teacher in Three Way, Texas, later teaching in Bells, Texas.

While teaching in Bells, she met the love of her life, Tommy Todd on January 9, 1955 at the Central Church of Christ in Denison. After a six-month courtship, Fay and Tommy were married on July 10, 1955 in Nelta, Texas. Fay continued her teaching career in Bells and received her Master’s degree in education from East Texas State in 1959.

Fay and Tommy relocated to Lubbock, Texas where she taught at Monterrey High School, and later to Parsons, Kansas. While in Parsons, Fay became a full time mother and homemaker, welcoming children Wade and Tammile.

Tommy’s career with the Katy Railroad led to the family moving to Fort Worth, Texas and later back to Denison for a brief time before moving back to Parsons and then to Waco, Texas and returning again to Denison, where the family welcomed another daughter, Tonya. In later years, as the children became older, Fay ran a gift shop in downtown Denison. After the Katy Railroad merger, Fay and Tommy moved to Collinsville, Illinois, but returned to Denison upon Tommy’s retirement.

A lifelong member of the Church of Christ, Fay was a faithful and active member of a local congregation in each of the cities where she lived. She was a wonderfully talented cook and generously shared her creations with others in the community. Throughout her lifetime, Fay gave freely of her time to help others in their time of need.

Fay is survived by her loving husband of fifty-seven years, Tommy, of Denison, and her children Wade Todd of Georgetown, Texas, Tammile Goodman and husband Mark of Medford, Oklahoma and Tonya Edwards of Aransas Pass, Texas. She is also survived by her grandchildren Caleb Goodman, Josh Goodman, Ian Todd, Micah Goodman, Kara Todd and Sarah Edwards and siblings Clyda Ruth Key and husband Bruce of Tarzan, Texas, Jerry Akins of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Delonia Mullins and husband Ken of Denison. She was preceded in death by her parents Clyde and Mossie Akins.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to the staff of Beacon Hill Assisted Living Center, where Fay spent the last two years.

Friends are cordially invited to visit with the family at Bratcher Funeral home on Thursday, January 17, from 6:00 to 8:00 in the evening. A memorial service will be conducted on Friday, January 18, at 10:00 in the morning at Park Avenue Church of Christ by ministers Todd Catteau and Basil McClure, with interment at Cedarlawn Memorial Park in Sherman. Serving as pallbearers are Caleb Goodman, Josh Goodman, Ian Todd, Micah Goodman, Russell Mullins and Jeff Nicholson.

Memorial gifts may be sent to High Plains Children Home. P.O. Box 7448, Amarillo, TX 79114.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.bratcherfuneralhome.com