WILMINGTON — Letha Louise Williams Lea, 86, one who bears the sweetest name, Mama, is now rejoicing with Jesus as her Father welcomed her home Saturday evening, Aug. 11, 2018, after a long illness. The last song she sang to him was “Hold Me Jesus.”
Letha’s last words were “I love you,” to her children. Her wings were ready, but our hearts were not! She is now at the pearly gates with her mother, who she saw waiting for her. Letha’s wonderful cooking has been sorely missed by her children these last few years, especially her collards and biscuits and the desserts she spent days preparing during the holidays.
She was born March 8, 1932, in Wilmington to the late Edward Roe Williams and Nettie Coston Williams. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bobby Lea; daughter Sharon Lea; grandson Patrick King; siblings, Vera Tompkins, Edna Webb, Clyde and Audrey Williams.
Letha is survived and will be carried to her resting place by her children, Darryl Blackburn (Carla), Toni Powell (Larry), Vicky Walker (Jimmy), Wendy Drinkwater (Nicky), Ericka Roethlinger (Ricky) and Tracy Brown (Larry); followed by grandchildren, Kent Blackburn (Jerilynn), Sandy Blackburn, Michael Blackburn (Emily), Brittany Haddock (Chris), Crystal Northam, Brandon Brown, Rena Roethlinger, Wayne Brown (Maradith) and Amy Davis; followed by great-grandchildren, Morgan, Graycen, Ella and Caroline Blackburn, Chloe and Blaiden Haddock, Destiny and J.J. Jones, Dylan Northam, Bobby Blake, Sophia Koonce, Harper, Hutch and Hallie Grace Brown.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, Aug. 17, at Andrews Market Street Chapel. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 18, at Greenlawn Memorial Park. Letha’s service will be officiated by Larry Brown and Jerry Lunsford. The family will be gathered at the home of daughter Tracy Brown and Larry in Rocky Point Friday, Aug. 17, and Saturday, Aug. 18.
A special thanks from the family for their loving support and care of Letha and her children by the Walker Taylor Home staff at Davis Nursing Home, Marci, Mazell, Mariah, Heather, Ashley, Tony, Emily, Taylor, Marquail, Sherry, Lynette, Dr. McPherson, Sarah, Quinasia, LaTonya, Rebecca, April, Tyronisha, Lisa, Missy, Megan, Robyn, LaToya, Tameka, Jordan, Tandra, Katie, Julie and Cameron; and Hospice Care Center, Christy, Robyn, Jennifer and Nancy. A very special thank you to Cameron Spearman for the countless time spent with the family and for all the hugs, kisses and comfort you gave to our mom.
In lieu of flowers, donations will be humbly appreciated to the Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington; or to the New Hanover Humane Society, 2405 N. 23rd St., Wilmington, in memory of her beloved “Big Boy.”
Share online condolences with the family at Andrews Mortuary & Crematory.
