Myrtice Amelia Lea

Myrtice Amelia Caddy Lea, 95, passed away May 16, 2015 in Clemmons, NC. She was born October 17, 1919 in Princeton, Ark., to the late Melinda Belle and Joseph Daniel Caddy. Myrtice, or "Mutt" as she was affectionately called, grew up in the country in Dallas County, Ark., and moved later to California, where she and her husband lived and raised their family for many years. She returned to Arkansas in 1968 with her husband and they farmed and enjoyed country life. They opened their home to many relatives where they had fish fries, and many meals with food that was grown from a huge garden and beef from their own stock. Mutt and Charlie enjoyed camping and fishing until he passed away in 1988, at which time she moved she moved to Colonial Heights, Va. Myrtice was an active member of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Colonial Heights until her move to North Carolina in 2014. She enjoyed serving at church and participating in the "Lots of Living Left" senior group at church. She was a long time member of the Hot Shots Senior Bowling League in Colonial Heights until she was 92. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Aubrey Lea and her son Tommy Charles Lea, and all her brothers and sisters. She is survived by two daughters, Audra "Bonnie" Payne (husband John deceased) of Buckner, Ark., Phala Roberts (husband Mike deceased) of Advance, N.C., and daughter-in-law Marion Lea, Keller, Texas. She is survived by six grandchildren, H. Paul Payne, Reed Point, Montana, Kimberly Blessant (Bart), Charlestown, W.Va., Lisa Lea Terry (Mike), Keller, Texas, Carin Troup (John) North Richland Hills, Texas, Kristi Bennett (Rick), Tampa, Fla., Sara Hepler (John), Clemmons, N.C., 13 great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren. Visitation will be at Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home, Arkadelphia, Ark., Wednesday May 20, 12:30-1:30. Graveside services will be held at 2:30 following the visitation in Tulip Cemetery in Tulip, Ark. Online register is available at www.ruggleswilcox.com.