TOMMIE JEAN LEA

Services for Mrs. Tommie Jean Lea, 85, of Kilgore are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, June 7, 2008 in the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home with Dr. Jerry Howell officiating. Burial will follow in the Kilgore City Cemetery. Mrs. Lea passed away Wednesday, June 4, 2008 surrounded by her loving family

Mrs. Lea was born on March 15, 1923 in Kilgore to the late Tom and Minnie Lawrence. Her father worked for the City of Kilgore in the Water Department. Her mother, Minnie, was a homemaker and provided a wonderful Christian home for Tommie and her two brothers. After graduating from Kilgore High School, Tommie enrolled at Kilgore College where she would be in the first line of the Kilgore College Rangerettes. After graduating from Kilgore College, she married Sonny Lea on July 7, 1946. After operating a Humble service station in New London, she and Sonny moved to Kilgore and began Lea's Butane Service. It was said that Sonny found the customers and Tommie kept them by keeping the business running in the right direction. In addition to managing the family business, Tommie maintained a loving home for her husband and their family. Mrs. Lea loved to play bridge. But the "lights" of her life were her children and grandchildren. Every holiday the family gathered at her house, where each child and grandchild received a gift that was unique to that person. Tommie was a self-sacrificing person, who lived to "give" to everyone.

Mrs. Lea is survived by her son, Larry Lea and his wife Leah of Rockwall; a daughter, Libby Lea of Kilgore; seven grandchildren, Keith Watson and his wife Jennifer of Lubbock, Tom Watson and his wife Chandra of Kilgore, Amy Porubsky and her husband Will of Goshun, New York, John Aaron Lea and his wife Lauri of San Clemente, California, JoAnna Lea of Dallas, Joy Elizabeth Palazzo and husband Stefan of Houston and Noah Joseph Lea of Rockwall; a brother, Billy Bob Lawrence and wife Gloria of Kilgore; six great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and a special friend and helper, Hazel Walker.

Her parents, her husband, Sonny Lea, a son Tommy Joe Lea, and a brother Jack Lawrence preceded Mrs. Lea in death.

Visitation will be at Rader Funeral Home Friday evening from six to eight.

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