Obituary for Beatrice "Bea" Leftwich (Woodward)
Beatrice “Bea” Leftwich, 82 years of age, of Lefors, formerly of Pampa, entered eternal rest Saturday morning, August 21, 2021, at Pampa Regional Medical Center. She was born on October 11, 1938, to Howard and Adeline Woodward in Canadian, Texas.
Bea has been a longtime resident of both Pampa and Lefors and has had numerous occupations over the years. Never afraid of hard work, she has operated heavy equipment, bartended, cooked and waited tables just to name a few and more often than not, she worked two or three jobs at a time. Referred to as a Jane of all trades, she did what was necessary to raise her children while filling the roles of both mom and dad. Above all else, Bea was the family caregiver, caretaker, and the matriarch. Family was top priority for her, and she loved them all dearly and in turn, she was an amazing hero to all eight of her children. No matter what the situation, she was there for them, and they could always count on that!
Something else that could be counted on was the importance of her first cup of coffee, and if you knew what was good for you, let her finish it first, then you could approach her, otherwise…wait. Not much for mincing
words, no one had to guess where they stood with her, she just straight up told you; however, that just went hand in hand with her cantankerous, testy, and sassy personality. Even though she seemed to have a gruff exterior, her heart was pure gold! She was known as grandma to everyone-even lots who have no relation whatsoever, but they loved her too.
Knowing that life wasn’t all work and no play, Bea discovered fun in various manners such as beating the 4th ranked dart player in Oklahoma, listening to Conway Twitty, Mo Bandy, Johnny Cash and numerous others in her album collection on her old console record player, collecting pigs of all sizes, shapes and forms, cooking, gardening, teaching others her knowledge to continue to pass it down, rooting for the Washington Redskins in a household of Dallas Cowboys fans, playing the slot machines in Las Vegas and even playing with snakes as well as tarantulas! She was anything but typical in so many ways and she will leave a huge void in the hearts of so many whose lives she has left an impression.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a husband, J.D. Mize; a brother, Tommy Woodward; four sisters, Opal Ray, Darlene Leftwich, Faye Stowe, Collene Stover and a grandson, Tony Conner.
Bea leaves behind a vast legacy to carry on her colorful memories that includes five sons, Jack Mize and wife Kim of White Deer, David Mize of Indiana, Les Mize and wife Nita of Lefors, Mark Mize and wife Laura of Enid, OK, Bruce Mize and wife Rachel of Lefors; three daughters, Jada Murray and husband Butch of Howardwick, Pauline Mullen and husband Charlie of Conroe, Tootie Vest and husband Jerry of Fowlerton, IN; sister, Betty Parsley of Amarillo; 22 grandchildren whom she loved with her whole heart; but Elora Elise and Dallas Ryan Mize both were extraordinarily special in her eyes; and 38 great-grandchildren as well a plethora of nieces, nephews and extended family members.
Celebration of Life Memorial Services are scheduled for 2:00 pm, Tuesday, August 24, 2021, at First Baptist Church of Lefors with Pastor Matthew Honeycutt officiating. The family has entrusted the cremation care of their loved one to Winegeart Funeral Home.
In honor of Bea’s disapproval of cutting flowers (the thought of shortening their lifespan and beauty saddened her) the family asks if you wish to send an arrangement, that it be a plant so it may continue to grow or, perhaps a donation is a preference, in which case, the family suggests they be made to the Bruce Mize family, P.O. Box 178, Lefors, TX 79054.
Bea has been a longtime resident of both Pampa and Lefors and has had numerous occupations over the years. Never afraid of hard work, she has operated heavy equipment, bartended, cooked and waited tables just to name a few and more often than not, she worked two or three jobs at a time. Referred to as a Jane of all trades, she did what was necessary to raise her children while filling the roles of both mom and dad. Above all else, Bea was the family caregiver, caretaker, and the matriarch. Family was top priority for her, and she loved them all dearly and in turn, she was an amazing hero to all eight of her children. No matter what the situation, she was there for them, and they could always count on that!
Something else that could be counted on was the importance of her first cup of coffee, and if you knew what was good for you, let her finish it first, then you could approach her, otherwise…wait. Not much for mincing
words, no one had to guess where they stood with her, she just straight up told you; however, that just went hand in hand with her cantankerous, testy, and sassy personality. Even though she seemed to have a gruff exterior, her heart was pure gold! She was known as grandma to everyone-even lots who have no relation whatsoever, but they loved her too.
Knowing that life wasn’t all work and no play, Bea discovered fun in various manners such as beating the 4th ranked dart player in Oklahoma, listening to Conway Twitty, Mo Bandy, Johnny Cash and numerous others in her album collection on her old console record player, collecting pigs of all sizes, shapes and forms, cooking, gardening, teaching others her knowledge to continue to pass it down, rooting for the Washington Redskins in a household of Dallas Cowboys fans, playing the slot machines in Las Vegas and even playing with snakes as well as tarantulas! She was anything but typical in so many ways and she will leave a huge void in the hearts of so many whose lives she has left an impression.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a husband, J.D. Mize; a brother, Tommy Woodward; four sisters, Opal Ray, Darlene Leftwich, Faye Stowe, Collene Stover and a grandson, Tony Conner.
Bea leaves behind a vast legacy to carry on her colorful memories that includes five sons, Jack Mize and wife Kim of White Deer, David Mize of Indiana, Les Mize and wife Nita of Lefors, Mark Mize and wife Laura of Enid, OK, Bruce Mize and wife Rachel of Lefors; three daughters, Jada Murray and husband Butch of Howardwick, Pauline Mullen and husband Charlie of Conroe, Tootie Vest and husband Jerry of Fowlerton, IN; sister, Betty Parsley of Amarillo; 22 grandchildren whom she loved with her whole heart; but Elora Elise and Dallas Ryan Mize both were extraordinarily special in her eyes; and 38 great-grandchildren as well a plethora of nieces, nephews and extended family members.
Celebration of Life Memorial Services are scheduled for 2:00 pm, Tuesday, August 24, 2021, at First Baptist Church of Lefors with Pastor Matthew Honeycutt officiating. The family has entrusted the cremation care of their loved one to Winegeart Funeral Home.
In honor of Bea’s disapproval of cutting flowers (the thought of shortening their lifespan and beauty saddened her) the family asks if you wish to send an arrangement, that it be a plant so it may continue to grow or, perhaps a donation is a preference, in which case, the family suggests they be made to the Bruce Mize family, P.O. Box 178, Lefors, TX 79054.