Gracie Leach Pendleton's Obituary
Gracie Leach Pendleton, 69 of Fayetteville, Ark., passed away from this life to meet her Savior surrounded by her dear family and friends on Thursday, January 3rd, 2019 at Washington Regional Medical Center with complications from Breast Cancer.
She was born September 5, 1949 in Fayetteville to Frank Sewell and Martha Doris Shipley Leach. Gracie is preceded in death by her parents, her brother known to many as “Bubba”, Frank Sewell Leach Jr., and her infant sister Doris Lucile Leach.
If you knew Gracie you knew a strong, southern, God fearing woman who had a mean whistle that could get your attention from miles away. She loved the Lord with all of her heart and loved telling many about His Love, Peace and Grace. On Sundays she was the official ‘Candy Greeter’ at FBC Fayetteville.
In the spring of 2015 Gracie took on a new adventure and became the housemother to the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. She was spunky, fun, and whipped them all in to shape when need be. She even went ‘viral’ with a video receiving over 100K views from Row Week. Affectionately known to her PIKE Guys as “Mamma G” she loved each and every one of them like they were her own. She often went above and beyond opening her home on Thanksgiving to those who were unable to travel home or sending Christmas cards to their home address for their families—always adding that personal touch.
Gracie had many talents, from her early days in Rodeo, being a PE Teacher at Root Elementary, working in sales and marketing for radio and television stations in the NWA Area, to her recent transition as the Pi Kappa Alpha Housemother, Gracie did it all and will be dearly missed by her family, her friends and her “PIKE Guys”.
She is survived by her precious daughters, Betsy Martin (Greg) of Fayetteville and Lucy Claypool (Lance) of Springdale. Five grandchildren, Landon Martin, Anna Claire Martin, Manning Martin, Crawford Claypool and Coleman Claypool who were the apple of her eye.
Visitation will be on Monday, January 7th at Moore’s Funeral Chapel from 5:00-7:00 p.m. and the Funeral will be held on Tuesday, January 8th at First Baptist Church in Fayetteville at 11 a.m. with burial immediately following at Fairview Memorial Gardens under the direction of Moore’s Funeral Chapel.
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