Mary Jo Atkins Leach

Mary Jo Atkins Leach, 87, our beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Sister, and friend was called home to her Heavenly Father on June 29, 2015 in Granbury.  Funeral services will be held Friday, July 3, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. in the First United Methodist Church in Newcastle.  Burial will follow in Newcastle Cemetery under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home.

Mary Jo was born in Burkburnett on April 6, 1928 to Charles Lough Atkins and Oleta Salyer Atkins.  She was raised by her grandparents, Martin and Elizabeth Salyer, where she became a sister to Jean Salyer, Leo Salyer, and Ozzie Salyer.  She lived with them in the oilfields and attended elementary school in Newcastle.  Mary Jo graduated from Holliday High School and attended Midwestern University.  While attending Midwestern she began working at the college.

It was during her college years that she met the love of her life, Hoyt Franklin Leach.  They were later married and had four children, Sandra Jo, Cynthia Kay, Randall Hoyt, and Robby Martin.  After their marriage, they lived in several locations, but settled in Gainesville where Hoyt owned his own business, "North Texas Pump and Supply."  While in Gainesville, Mary Jo received her Associate Degree from Cook County College and had a very demanding job working as Administrative Assistant to the College President.

Mary Jo was always a very active, kind and giving person, always laughing and having fun.  She was an amazing mother, who not only raised her 4 children, worked, was President of PTA in Sherman, a member of the Eastern Star, a Bluebird Campfire Girls Leader, and an active fan of the Gainesville High School Leopards.

She enjoyed staying close to loved ones by attending the Harrison/Salyer Reunion in Georgetown working on family photo albums, attending her children and grandchildren's sports activities, cheer leading events, and being available constantly for her grandchildren and their activities.

It was after her husband, Hoyt, became ill and had to sell his business that she retired from her job and they moved to Graham Lake so that they could spend more time with each other, help take care of Hoyt, and be closer to their daughter Cindy and her family Josh, and Coby.

Both Mary Jo and Hoyt spent many wonderful times on the lake with their children and their families, who they loved so very much.  They worshiped at the First United Methodist Church in Newcastle where they were both members.  They loved fishing, boating, and especially their humming birds.  Hoyt passed away August 31, 1994.

Mary Jo was preceded in death by sisters, Brenda Stone, Donna Hulse, and Bette Kinser, and a brother, Truett Ray Wilson.

Mary Jo is survived by her children, Sandra Spencer and husband, Richard of Maud, Cindy Phillips and husband, Josh of Graham, Randy Leach and wife, Gina of Granbury, and Robby Leach of Grapevine.  She is also survived by her beautiful grandchildren, Coby Jones and wife, Tracy of Graham, Kali Sommer and husband, Josh of Kent Wood, California, Suzanne Foster and husband, Alex of Dallas, Garrett Leach, Matthew Leach, Michael Leach, and Caroline Leach; great grandchildren, Lynsey Jones, Kalyn Sommer and Josli Sommer; sister, Jean Riddle and husband, Bud of Vernal, Utah.  She is also survived by Kim Nichols and husband, Rick and family of Granbury who loved her more than we will ever know.  Mary Jo is survived by many loving nephews, nieces, and family members of her brother's Leo, Ozzie, and sister Jean; nieces and nephews of the Leach family.

Family visitation will be held Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials can be made to the Newcastle Methodist Church, 603 Monroe Avenue, Newcastle, Texas  76372 or a charity of your choice.