Maudie Leach

Maudie Leach, age 87, of Carthage, Texas, passed away on Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Tyler, Texas.

Maudie Lean Davids was born on September 21, 1938, in Chireno, Texas, to the late George Willis and Loucette E. Evette Davis. She attended school in Woden and high school in Longview.

On September 8, 1956, she married Edward Earl “Ted” Leach in McAlester, Oklahoma. They shared 52 years of marriage before his passing on September 17, 2008. In 1971, Maudie and Ted made their home in Carthage after relocating from Mount Pleasant, Texas.

Maudie built a dedicated career as a bookkeeper and secretary, working for Big J and A & W Construction, Don Griffith Construction, and Youngblood Oil Company until her retirement. In addition to her professional work, she had a deep passion for photography. She began working as a newspaper photographer while living in Mount Pleasant and continued after moving to Carthage, earning numerous awards for her work.

A woman of strong faith, Maudie was a longtime and devoted member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Carthage. She faithfully served her church community as parish administrator for many years and was actively involved in St. Ann’s Guild and served on the Bishop’s Committee.

Maudie found joy in ceramics and cherished capturing life’s moments through her camera, leaving behind a legacy of memories for those she loved with her photography at weddings, birthdays, and any special occasion.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sister, Georgia Lou Battles; her brothers, Billy Davis and Earl Davis; a son-in-law, Tommy Smith; and a daughter-in-law, Cindy Leach.

She is survived by her children: Debbie McMillan and husband Larry, Dana Dodge and husband Ricky, Donna Smith, Donald Leach and wife Carol, and David Leach; her brother, Homer Davis and wife Glenda; her brother-in-law, John Leach and wife Linda; and her sister-in-law, Cynthia Cavanaugh and husband Roy. She also leaves behind a large and loving family of grandchildren, Melanie and husband Tommy Earle, Jennifer and husband David Godwin, Brad McMillan, Michael Smith and wife Stephanie, Donnie Leach and wife Irene, Travis Dodge and wife Kim, Danny Leach and wife Shanette, Krissy and husband Steve Molitor, Crystal and husband Joe Cloutier, Amber and husband Jarrett Hill, Tommy Smith and wife Amber, Andi and husband Brandon Byrd, Angel and husband Jason Wood, Michael Thorne, Corey Holland and wife Jenny, and Ginger Hawkins; great-grandchildren, Ty’Ron, Triston, Kaden, Shila and Elijah McMillan, Kaitlynn Hutchinson, Kali Naranjo, MacKenzie Dodge, Ashleigh Earle, Ricky Dodge, Dylan Dodge, Jesse Dodge, Jake Molitor, Sophie Molitor, Bragen Boniol, Matthew Boniol, Brandon Sells, Cheyenne Evans, Ryder Caldwell, Koby Smith, Camdyn Smith, Mason Smith, Andre’ Cloutier, Jacquelin Cloutier, Josiah Vaughn, Madelynn Stallone, Devin McMillin, Dalton, Josh, Dylan, Katy, Hunter, Aubrey, River, and Layla Leach, Skylar Epperson, Emma Holland, Annsley Holland, Sawyer Hawkins, Romie Holland, Jayden, Jasper, and Jase Hill, Kyrstyn Shires, Tabitha and Robin Putnam, Jordan Byrd, Oliver and Liam Wood, Kolby Owens, Cheyanne Rowland, and Matthew Thorne; and great-great-grandchildren, Kyston Dodge, Amiyah McMillan, Baby K. McMillan, and Josiah Vaughn along with many extended family members and friends who will cherish her memory.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel, with the Reverend Jennene Laurinec officiating. Interment will follow at Elderville Cemetery.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.