Frances Louise Leckie, age 91 went home to be with the Lord after a brief illness along with declining health issues on Sunday, December 12, 2021, surrounded by her family.
Louise was born May 5, 1930, to the late Charlie and Avie (Pittman) Southers of Gainesville, Ga.
She was a native of Hall County and grew up in the Gainesville Mill Village. The Mill village held a special place in her heart. The village neighbors were like family and tried to help and take care of one another to get through hard times. She was a member of Hopewell Baptist Church and she graduated from Lyman Hall High School. After high school, she worked at the Gainesville Cotton Mill for a short time and met the love of her life, Myron Leckie. They were married on October 5, 1952, and she became a homemaker and moved to Topeka, Kansas, for a brief time, where Myron was stationed in the Air Force, then they returned back to Hall County. During their marriage, Myron was called to preach the gospel and she faithfully served alongside her husband during his years of ministry. They were married for 49 years. Over the years, she was a dedicated caregiver for her mother, father-in-law, husband, and two of her sisters, during their sicknesses and declining health. Louise was a kind and caring person and had a compassion for the sick, elderly and shut-ins in their church families and community by visiting, or preparing meals while she was able to do so.
She loved her family and especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was known to them as “Memaw”. She also loved the Christmas season by celebrating the birth of Christ and enjoyed decorating their home inside and out for Christmas, then her children carried on the tradition for her to continue to enjoy. She is now having her best Christmas ever!
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Myron Leckie, brothers, Ernest Otto (Tobey) Southers, Junior Southers, Willard (Buck) Southers, brother & sister-in-law Carl and Lee Southers, sister & brother-in-law, Irene (Bibbie) and Barker Jones, sister Florrie Nell (Flossie) Southers all of Gainesville; and grandson Benjamin Nelson, Demorest. Ga.
She is survived by her 2 children; son & daughter-in-law, Tobey & Teresa Leckie, Gainesville, daughter & son-in-law, Tona & Jeff Nelson, Demorest; 2 granddaughters and their spouses, Anna (Nelson) & Greg Stotser, Columbus, Ga. and Lydia (Nelson) & Josh Frazier, Waynesville, NC; 4 great-grandchildren, Mabry, Audry & Rory Frazier, Waynesville, NC and Asher Stotser, Columbus, Ga. She is also survived by her sister & brother-in-law, Mildred (Millie) & David Harrison, Richardson, Texas and other nieces & nephews.
During her declining health, Louise was able the stay at home with the help of her family and special caregivers, Doris Allison, Janie Southers (niece), Mycki Little, Lisa Loggins and Rachel Tipton. The family would like to express their utmost gratitude and special thanks to these caregivers for their loyalty and loving care that made it possible for Louise to stay in the home she loved. The family would also like to thank the HCFD Station #9, Bell Minor Home staff and Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care staff for the compassionate care they provided.
Visitation will be Wednesday, December 15, 2021, at Wards Funeral Home, Gainesville from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Funeral services will be Thursday, December 16, 2021, at 2:00 pm at Wards Funeral Home Chapel, Gainesville with Rev. Gary Wilson & Rev. Josh Frazier officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, Gainesville.
The family respectfully requests that the CDC guidelines be followed. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Please share online condolences with the family at www.wardsfh.com. Ward’s Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Frances Louise Leckie.
