EDITH ISABEL BALLENGER LEATH

 The following bio was taken from page 283 of the book entitled “Rusk County History” compiled and edited and used with permission of the Rusk County Historical Commission.

 Transcribed by Shirley Koym

 Submitted by Gloria Briley Mayfield, Cemeteries of Texas

 Edith Isabel Ballenger Leath was born in Rusk County on September 2, 1905.  Her parents were Wade Edward and Betty Strong Ballenger.  Both of her parents were born and grew up in Rusk County.  Isabel’s grandparents were Richard and Isabel Ballenger, and Sam and Katherine Strong.  Isabel has two brothers and two sisters.

 In 1926, Isabel met and married her husband, Colly Leath.  He was also a Rusk County native.  His parents were Lonnie and Ola Irwin Leath.  Colly was one of eight children.

 Colly and Isabel lived most of their married life in the Church Hill Community.  They have three children:  Nelwyn Joyce Bagley of Henderson, Colly Edward Leath of Lufkin, and Jack Howard Leath of Pineland.  Isabel has seven grandchildren, and at the present time she has seven great grandchildren.

 Colly was associated with Leath Brothers Tire Company which was located in Henderson.  He died in June of 1970.  Isabel is retired from Sue Ann Manufacturing Company.  She spends her time now doing handwork and doing a little babysitting.  Colly and Isabel have always attended Church Hill United Methodist Church.

 Submitted by Mrs. Johnny Bagley