Leila J. Meacham

Leila Meacham, beloved wife of Arthur Richard (Dick) Meacham III, peacefully passed away on Sunday morning, September 19, 2021. As he had been for 55 years of their life's journey together, Dick was by her side.

Leila and her twin brother, Leiland, were born September 7, 1938 in Minden, Louisiana to Maggie Faye Pergerson and James Allen Jaynes. She grew up in west Texas and graduated from Wink High School. Following high school, she graduated from North Texas University in Denton, Texas and began her teaching career in Odessa, Texas. While teaching in Clovis, New Mexico she met the love of her life, then Lt. Dick Meacham and they were married on July 2, 1966.

Dick's Air Force career took them to numerous locations throughout the United States. During this time Leila taught, was active in the Officer's Wives Clubs, volunteer organizations, and refined her culinary art and entertaining skills, and became the ultimate hostess. After Dick retired from the Air Force in 1984, they settled in Universal City before moving to Oakwell Farms in San Antonio in 1992. Her love for entertaining continued throughout her life. To be invited to one of her special dinners, cocktail receptions, or soirees was a treasured event for all of their guests.

During these years Leila became the consummate English teacher. She was devoted to her students and along with teaching grammar, literature, and writing, she instilled in them the importance of good values and a sense of purpose. She encouraged the students who struggled with academics, social issues and family challenges and served as a true mentor and trusted confident. She was dedicated to helping students achieve success in reaching all their goals. She inspired generations of young people to follow their dreams and seek excellence. Some of her former students recently wrote to her with messages like "Mrs. Meacham, you were my very favorite teacher ever," "We loved you Mrs. Meacham," "You were such a strong person with a powerful presence," and "In the classroom, she gently and beautifully brought the craft of writing to life!"

While Leila was telling and writing "stories" all through her life and had a couple of books published early on, it wasn't until she retired from teaching that she made the commitment to write her first lengthy novel, "Roses". That book made the NY Times Best Seller List. She went on to write "Tumbleweeds," "Summerset," "Titan's," and "Dragonfly." She continued to write up to her passing. She loved meeting her fans and readers and so enjoyed engaging them at book signings or when speaking about her books at luncheons or community groups.

Leila was a devout Christian ~ her faith and the power of prayer were of utmost importance to her. She believed she was given some extra time on this earth because she had the prayers of so many fans and friends her "prayer warriors" as she called them. She was a member of the Oakwell Farms Community Club, the Garden Club and numerous book clubs. With her husband, she was also a member of The Petroleum Club and Cross Roads Church.

Leila always looked like she just stepped off the cover of a fashion magazine. As one friend said "Leila always looks so 'put together' or as they say, she looks like a million bucks!" She did everything with dignity and grace. She was the epitome of "Southern Charm". But it was her loyal and devoted friendship to so many that defined much of her character and life. She was a woman with a caring and generous spirit and a unique ability to extend warmth and love to all. She had a way of making every friend feel like a "special" friend. Simple pleasures in life brought great joy to Leila. She loved beautiful music, watching hummingbirds in the back yard, a quiet evening with friends - a glass of wine in hand, and good food. She even learned to like watching football with Dick although she cheered for the team with the "best looking uniforms". She loved dogs - everyone heard at least fifty stories about their/her dog, Whimpy Burger"!

Survivors include her husband, Dick; cousins Robert Ross, Melanie Mills, and Tyna Moore; nephews Michael Meacham and Jason Jaynes; nieces Melissa Grossman, Erica Rice and Jennifer Green and sisters-in-law Sharon Meacham and Ruth Ann Meacham. She is also survived by many dear friends and hundreds of fans.

A visitation for Leila will be held Friday, October 1, 2021 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.at Sunset Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, TX 78218. A funeral Service will be held Saturday, October2, 2021 at Cross Roads Church, 8102 Midcrown Drive, Windcrest, TX 78239 at 12:30pm. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park, 1701 Austin Highway.

In lieu of flowers you may make a donation is Leila's memory to:

San Antonio Humane Society

Presbyterian Children's Home

Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy.